Is a trade war with China looming? Can the EU still strike a balance between protection and cooperation? How will the EU deal with a country it needs but that doesn’t share its set of values?

In this edition, MEPs Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D) and Nicolás de la Parte (EPP) discuss what could be one of the most consequential topics on the EU's political agenda.

Trade tensions between China and the European Union are escalating after Beijing called on EU member states to revise the bloc’s proposed “Made in Europe” legislation. The draft proposal of the European Commission seeks to tighten the rules for foreign companies that want to participate in EU public procurement contracts. The initiative was met with criticism by China’s commerce ministry, affirming Beijing would respond with countermeasures. What's next for EU-China relations?

Listen to this special edition of The Ring, brought to you from our studios in Brussels.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special football edition of The Ring, we deconstruct a Champions League game that will go down in history as one of the best ever. Nine goals - can top quality football really be any better? Our experts also weigh in on what else is moving Europe's most popular sport.

To talk about what happened on that memorable Tuesday and what else is moving European football these days, host Stefan Grobe was joined by two other big football fans and consummate Brussels insiders: Connor Allen who manages government and external relations at a big company and Petros Fassoulas, secretary general of the European Movement International.

We commented on Sports Commissioner Glenn Mecallef’s reaction to the match, debated some darker sides of football, especially the problem of racism among supporters, and discussed whether football is a unifying factor for Europe and the world.

Listen to this special edition of The Ring, brought to you from our studios in Brussels.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should governments impose strict rent controls to limit price increases? Should foreign investors face limits or bans on buying residential property? Can the EU play a stronger role, or should housing remain primarily a national responsibility?

From soaring rents in major cities to shortages of affordable homes across the bloc, pressure is mounting on national governments and EU institutions alike. Maria Ohisalo (Greens) from Finland and Dirk Gotink (European People’s Party) from the Netherlands step into The Ring and clash on how to tackle the housing emergency in Europe.

Listen now to this episode of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ist Deutschland wieder einmal der kranke Mann Europas? Angesichts der wachsenden Herausforderungen könnte man das meinen.

Was sind die Ursachen der Wohnungsnot? Bewältigt Deutschland den Reformstau? Was bedeutet das für die EU?

Im „Ring“ stehen sich zwei deutsche Politiker gegenüber, die unterschiedliche politische Lager vertreten und in verschiedenen Parlamenten tätig sind: Sepp Müller, stellvertretender Vorsitzender der CDU/CSU-Bundestagsfraktion, und Martin Schirdewan, Co-Vorsitzender der Fraktion Die Linke im Europäischen Parlament.

Hören Sie sich jetzt diese Sonderfolge von „The Ring in Berlin“ an.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does Orbán’s defeat mean for the future of the EU? Beyond potential improvements in relations with Hungary, the EU still faces a broader question: Does it need radical reform to avoid being sidelined on the global stage?

German MEP Daniel Freund (Greens) and Dutch MEP Sander Smit (European Conservatives & Reformists)step into The Ring to defend their views on future reforms of the EU.

Péter Magyar’s landslide victory in Hungary’s parliamentary elections on Sunday has sparked renewed optimism in Brussels. After years of Viktor Orbán’s controversial rule, including numerous vetoes, the change in government has raised hopes that previously stalled EU support for Ukraine may finally be unblocked.

Listen now to this episode of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can the EU balance stricter migration policies with growing human rights concerns?

The European Parliament has adopted a reform enabling member states to set up “migration return hubs” in third countries for rejected asylum seekers. The measure allows deportations to external facilities negotiated with partner states.

What does the European Parliament’s rightward shift on migration mean for the future of asylum? MEPs Lena Düpont, from the centre-right European People’s Party, and Juan Fernando López Aguilar, from the Socialists & Democrats, clash on The Ring.

While Düpont considers the return hub policy long overdue, López Aguilar accuses the centre-right of aligning with far-right groups to push through tougher migration measures, disregarding human rights concerns.

Listen now to this week’s episode of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the war in the Middle East enters its fourth week, Europe finds itself at a crossroads — balancing calls for restraint with mounting pressure to take a clearer stance. While EU leaders continue to urge de-escalation and the protection of civilians, divisions remain over whether Brussels should step up its role on the global stage.

In this edition of The Ring, recorded at the European Parliament in Brussels, two sharply contrasting voices go head to head. Riho Terras, former Estonian army chief and MEP for the EPP, faces Özlem Demirel, German MEP from The Left and a long-time anti-war advocate.

Can diplomacy alone shape outcomes in a region marked by decades of conflict? Or does Europe need to back its words with military strength to be heard? As the humanitarian toll rises and geopolitical stakes intensify, the debate cuts to the core of the EU’s identity as a global actor.

With opposing views — from calls to reject militarisation to arguments for strategic power — the discussion raises urgent questions about Europe’s responsibility, influence and limits in times of war.

Listen now to this week’s episode of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the impact is being felt far beyond the region — especially on global energy markets. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have tightened supply routes, pushing prices higher and adding new uncertainty for European economies.

Where does Europe stand as the pressure builds? MEPs Fabrice Leggeri, from Patriots for Europe, and Jussi Saramo, from The Left, go head to head to debate how the EU should respond — and what the crisis means for energy policy, economic stability and Europe’s strategic autonomy.

With prices volatile and geopolitical tensions rising, deeper questions are coming into focus. Should nuclear power play a larger role in Europe’s future energy mix? And will the European Union act quickly enough to protect households and businesses from the surge in costs?

Take a listen to this week’s episode of The Ring, brought to you from the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.