In brief | 26 January ‘26

Reuters: Germany and Italy, EU's top manufacturers, unveil pro-industry alliance

Germany and Italy pledged to coordinate within the EU to promote deregulation of industry, a sign of the bloc's two biggest manufacturers exploring closer alignment as their interests diverge from those of members including France.

DW: EU, India set for historic trade deal amid US tariffs

In what's been called a victory for free trade, the EU and India are set to agree on "the mother of all deals" and a defence pact that aims to lure India away from its close political and military ties to Russia.

Politico: Clean energy is Europe’s only route to security and prosperity – opinion 

North Sea Summit will be fundamental in delivering the energy security and prosperity Europe desperately needs, wrote UK energy secretary Ed Miliband and EU commissioner for energy Dan Jørgensen.

Bloomberg: North Sea states to invest €9.5 billion in offshore wind by 2030

The pact aims to turn the North Sea into “the world’s largest clean energy reservoir.”

BBC: UK to join major wind farm project with nine European countries

The UK government said the deal will strengthen energy security by offering an escape from what it called the "fossil fuel rollercoaster".

Politico: The EU’s industrial policy goes full China

The EU risks scaring off investors with new red tape and China-style requirements for foreign companies.

NYTimes: As Europe’s reliance on US natural gas grows, so does Trump’s leverage

Tension over Greenland has prompted worries that the Trump administration could turn the US oil and gas industry into a way to pressure Europe.