European Union countries have expressed broad support for one round of 30% retaliatory tariffs if the United States does not reach a trade deal with the EU.

President Donald Trump put the odds of striking a trade deal with Europe to reduce the tariff rate on their imports at 50-50, even as diplomats from the trading bloc have expressed optimism in recent days that an agreement could be near.

Chinese President Xi Jinping criticised Brussels's recent trade actions against Beijing at a tense summit dominated by concerns on trade and the Ukraine war.

A threatened 30% tariff on European wines would hurt many U.S. companies while hiking prices at home and in restaurants, industry experts warn.

China and the European Union have issued a joint call to action on climate change during a tense summit in Beijing.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday in Scotland after EU officials and diplomats said they expected to reach a framework trade deal this weekend.

"New Zealand is the furthest away from Europe, but at the same time, in all other respects, it's very close to Europe, both in terms of language, in attitude, in democracy, culture, and even listening to the parliament there today, it was very similar to the Parliaments across the European Union."

The European Union (EU) is one of the most significant political and economic unions in modern history, but its formation and growth are often overlooked in the grand narrative of world history. This video takes you on a detailed journey through the history of the European Union,