Trump's announcement of 25% tariffs on all imported vehicles effective April 2 dominated the morning news, sending European auto stocks into sharp decline with Stellantis particularly affected. European markets reacted negatively as EU officials prepared "proportionate, well-calibrated and timely" countermeasures targeting Republican-majority states.
By midday, attention shifted to the Paris summit of 31 "willing" nations supporting Ukraine. President Macron emphasized that "Russia is pretending to negotiate" while confirming sanctions would remain in place. The meeting lacked unanimity on troop deployment, with Meloni explicitly ruling out Italian participation while calling for US involvement in negotiations.
A tourist submarine sinking near Hurghada in the Red Sea claimed six Russian lives with dozens rescued. By evening, President Mattarella urged the EU to make "no longer postponable decisions" on collective defense capabilities, reflecting growing security concerns.