Brussels is in talks with the US to maintain a “free flow” of diesel following President Donald Trump’s threat to cut off supplies, as the bloc’s energy commissioner warns Europe faces its “worst winter” for energy prices since 2022. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warns that far-right parties are tapping into a failure to support an estimated 50 million people facing a choice between paying for food or heating this winter. Jørgensen urges EU energy ministers to act, stating it is “totally unacceptable” that citizens must choose between freezing or being hungry.

While the European Commission offers flexibility in regulations to allay price pressures, any actions must align with the long-term transition away from imported fossil fuels. Far-right parties such as Alternative for Germany and France’s Rassemblement National have blamed ruling governments for failing to combat the rising cost of living. Jørgensen warns that if people cannot afford basic needs and feel their standard of living is declining, it paints a “bleak picture of the future.” Chart du jour notes Russia has announced fresh tax increases to plug a budget shortfall caused by its war in Ukraine.

Spain proposes an innovative workaround for the “Made in Europe” conundrum, suggesting layers defining trade partners in strategic sectors to bridge the gap between France, which prioritizes the EU’s 27 members, and Germany, which wants to include trade partners under the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act.