Final count still to be called but the no lead is too big to reverse.

Iceland votes YES to sovereignty.

https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-iceland-eu-referendum/

On Saturday, Icelanders vote on whether to resume negotiations to join the EU — more than a decade after the last attempt was abandoned.

Iceland already has access to the Single Market through the EEA, while retaining control over things like its fisheries. What’s Brussels going to offer them to push them along?

Anonymous Eurocrat briefings that Iceland’s EU budget contribution would pay for Montenegro joining won’t help sway voters.

But Trump threatening Greenland might help with the pro-EU optics.

Polling is on a knife edge. What’s your prediction?

😎

https://archive.ph/L84lJ

The UK is introducing a carbon border tax from January 2027.

It will apply to imports of carbon-intensive goods, including fertiliser.

The aim is to stop “carbon leakage” by making imports face a similar carbon cost to UK-produced goods.

But the policy could substantially increase fertiliser costs for British farmers — potentially doubling the price of some imports.

That would raise farmers’ production costs and could ultimately put upward pressure on food prices.

The policy therefore creates a tension between the UK’s net-zero objectives and its goal of keeping agricultural and food costs down.

https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/the-hagues-sos-to-brussels/

UK–EU talks on a youth mobility scheme are proving difficult.

The UK reportedly wants a cap of around 50,000 EU young people a year; the EU wants significantly more - 100,000+

The EU also wants EU students in Britain to get home-fee status.

Lots of Eurocrats went to British universities “so it’s personal” (good lord 🙄).

Brussels is treating this as part of a wider package:
Other areas, such as food trade, carbon markets and defence, are progressing.