The European Parliament is preparing to temporarily suspend its approval process for the US tariffs agreement reached in July, according to sources familiar with discussions within its international trade committee.

The expected announcement, scheduled for Wednesday in Strasbourg, France, would signal a further intensification of transatlantic negotiations at a time when political and economic sensitivities are running high. While the move introduces uncertainty, European officials have framed it as a procedural step that keeps dialogue open rather than closing the door on cooperation.

The development comes against the backdrop of renewed political friction, as US President Donald Trump has escalated rhetoric over Greenland, warning over the weekend that additional tariffs could follow if US interests are not addressed. Despite the sharper tone, European diplomats continue to emphasise that engagement remains the preferred path forward.

Global financial markets have responded cautiously, reflecting heightened awareness of the potential for renewed trade disputes, but also the expectation that both sides have incentives to avoid a prolonged confrontation. European stock markets recorded a second consecutive day of declines on Tuesday, while US equities also eased. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.3% in midday trading, the S&P 500 slipped 1.5%, and the Nasdaq was down 1.7%.

Currency markets mirrored the shift in sentiment. The US dollar weakened notably, allowing the euro to rise 0.7% to $1.1731, while sterling gained 0.2% to trade at $1.346. Analysts noted that such movements often reflect short-term reassessments rather than long-term expectations.

Bond markets also saw increased activity, with borrowing costs rising globally as investors adjusted positions. Yields on 30-year government bonds climbed in major economies including the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, marking the most significant sell-off in long-term debt for several months.

Until recently, trade relations between Washington and Brussels had shown signs of stabilisation following the July agreement reached at President Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland. Under that deal, US tariffs on European goods were set at 15%, a notable reduction from the 30% initially threatened during April’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements.

In return, the European Union committed to increased investment in the United States and to regulatory and structural adjustments within Europe aimed at supporting stronger US export growth. Officials on both sides had presented the arrangement as a balanced compromise designed to restore predictability to transatlantic trade.

The Syrian government has announced an immediate nationwide ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a move that Syrian state media says effectively consolidates state authority across almost the entire country and brings an end to nearly two weeks of clashes.

The ceasefire is anchored in a comprehensive 14-point agreement that provides for the gradual integration of the SDF into Syria’s military and state institutions. Officials in Damascus described the accord as a major step toward restoring national unity after years of fragmentation brought on by the civil war.

Speaking in the capital, President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the agreement would enable Syrian state institutions to reassert formal control over three key eastern and northern governorates: al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor and Raqqa. He emphasised that the deal creates a framework for stability, governance and security to return under a single national authority.

The announcement followed high-level talks in Damascus between President al-Sharaa and the US special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack. Barrack welcomed the ceasefire and broader agreement, describing it as an important step toward a “unified Syria” and a reduction in long-running internal tensions.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was expected to attend the meeting in Damascus but was unable to travel due to adverse weather conditions. His visit has been rescheduled for Monday, according to President al-Sharaa, underscoring continued engagement between both sides as the agreement moves toward implementation.

Kurdish-led forces established their autonomous administration in northern and eastern Syria nearly a decade ago, during the height of the country’s civil war. The SDF received strong backing from the United States, which armed and trained the group as its primary local partner in the campaign against the Islamic State group (IS).

With sustained US military support, the SDF succeeded in driving IS from large parts of northeastern Syria and subsequently governed a mix of Kurdish- and Arab-majority areas, developing parallel civilian and security institutions during years of conflict.

Under the new agreement, Syrian authorities will assume control of civilian institutions, border crossings, and strategic oil and gas fields that have long underpinned Kurdish self-rule. These measures are intended to bring economic assets and administrative systems back under central state management.

The deal also outlines the integration of SDF military and security personnel into Syria’s defence and interior ministries, subject to a vetting process. In addition, Damascus will take over responsibility for prisons and detention camps holding tens of thousands of foreign IS fighters and their families, a move officials say will strengthen national oversight and long-term security arrangements.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has reaffirmed her intention to lead the country, declaring that she will assume the presidency “when the right time comes,” as Venezuela navigates a critical political transition.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News during a visit to Washington, Machado said she believes she will one day be elected president, describing her ambition as part of a broader mission to rebuild the country. She said her goal is to help turn Venezuela into “that land of grace,” adding that she hopes to become the nation’s first woman president when conditions allow for a democratic transfer of power.

Machado’s remarks came a day after she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump, describing the gesture as recognition of what she called his commitment to Venezuela’s freedom and democratic future. The symbolic act drew international attention and underscored her effort to strengthen ties with key global actors at a moment of heightened uncertainty for the South American nation.

The political landscape in Venezuela has shifted dramatically following the US operation on 3 January that led to the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and his transfer to New York, where he is facing multiple charges related to drugs and weapons trafficking. The move has intensified diplomatic activity around Venezuela’s future governance and raised questions about who will ultimately lead the country through its next phase.

Despite Machado’s prominence within the opposition and her movement’s claim of victory in the widely disputed 2024 elections, President Trump has so far stopped short of formally endorsing her as Venezuela’s next leader. He has argued that she lacks sufficient domestic backing at this stage. Instead, the US administration has been engaging with interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice-president and is currently overseeing the transitional administration.

Addressing questions about her role, Machado stressed that she remains focused on serving Venezuela in the most effective way possible. “I want to serve my country where I am more useful,” she said, adding that she believes she has a clear mandate from supporters who see her as a central figure in the country’s democratic aspirations.

During her visit to Washington, Machado also met with several US senators as part of broader efforts to rally international support. Outside Congress, her brief comments to reporters were frequently interrupted by supporters chanting “María, presidente” while waving Venezuelan flags, reflecting the enthusiasm of her backers and the continued visibility of her leadership bid.