Europe focus

What they said

"Germany has enjoyed great economic success in China for decades. There's been a good bilateral relationship for decades. And I'd like to build on that."

Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor, speaking on his first trip to Beijing about his country's relations with China.

"We do not accept that foreign countries can come and interfere in, then insert themselves into, our national political debate."

Jean-Noel Barrot, France's foreign minister, criticizing the US ambassador in France over comments about domestic affairs.

"When we agreed to this trade deal, one of the arguments was that our companies would have stability. Predictability is a value and it is again gone."

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, commenting on US President Donald Trump's new global trade tariff policy.