Kathleen Van Brempt

Europees Parlementslid. Vicevoorzitter @TheProgressives. Trade, sustainability & human rights. Find me on

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

This is democracy. Whether or not to restart EU accession talks was, and remains, a decision for Icelanders alone. We fully respect the outcome.

The fact that the vote was so close shows how divided the country is on this issue. Concerns about difficult questions, such as fisheries, ultimately prevailed. That is regrettable, because I remain convinced that we could have bridged those differences. There is far more that unites us than divides us.

Even without accession, Iceland remains a close friend and an important partner of the European Union. Especially in the Arctic, close cooperation on security is more important than ever. That work will continue, openly and respectfully.

[Financial Times @FT]

Iceland rejects reopening talks on EU entry https://t.co/PHUpTPzLbD

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

This is democracy. Whether or not to restart EU accession talks was, and remains, a decision for Icelanders alone. We fully respect the outcome of the referendum.

The fact that the vote was so close shows how divided the country is on this issue. Concerns about difficult questions, such as fisheries, ultimately prevailed. That is regrettable, because I remain convinced that we could have bridged those differences. There is far more that unites us than divides us.

Even without accession, #Iceland remains a close friend and an important partner of the European Union. Especially in the Arctic, close cooperation on security is more important than ever. That work will continue, openly and respectfully.

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

The US sanctions against Tomoko Akane and Abdoulaye Seye are a direct and unacceptable attack on independent international justice. Trump is not sanctioning those suspected of war crimes, but the people working to prosecute them. By targeting the judges, prosecutors and staff of the @IntlCrimCourt and attempting to financially strangle them, the US President is acting as though the United States stands above international law.

The consequences are far-reaching. They affect not only the individuals concerned, but the functioning of the Court itself. Financial institutions, software companies and other service providers are withdrawing or restricting their services out of fear that they could be targeted themselves. This places the Court’s vital work, including in Ukraine and Sudan, under severe pressure. Trump is not only undermining the Court’s ability to operate, he is threatening its very survival.

The European Union cannot and must not accept this. Tomoko Akane was a member of the chamber that issued the arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. Europe cannot defend that arrest warrant and then look away when Trump targets the same judge and the same Court. International law is not a menu from which we can pick and choose.

When will Europe finally act? Since May 2025, we have been calling on the European Commission to activate the Blocking Statute. We warned then that US sanctions threatened the work and even the very survival of the International Criminal Court. More than a year later, Trump is expanding his attack. Statements of support and diplomatic efforts are no longer enough.

The Commission must now bring the US sanctions against the Court within the scope of the EU Blocking Statute. This would protect European banks, companies, organisations and citizens working with the Court against the effects of those sanctions. The European Union and its Member States must also strengthen their financial, technical and practical support for the Court.

Europe says it defends the international legal order. It must therefore do so when that order comes under attack. Also when the attack comes from Trump.

[Congresswoman Valerie Foushee @ValerieFoushee]

I met with @BerndLange, @BrandoBenifei, @KVanBrempt, @SchaldemoseMEP and @LinaGalvezMunoz of the European Parliament to discuss AI and digital policy efforts.

As AI continues to develop, we must work hand-in-hand with our allies to ensure this technology is not being developed in a manner that harms working people.

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

EU law applies to every company operating in Europe. European & American alike.

The DMA keeps our digital market open and fair. US tech is welcome, but it must respect our rules on privacy, competition & consumer protection. We need no lectures on that from the US.

[Under Secretary of State Jacob S. Helberg @UnderSecE]

Brussels now wields regulation as a broadsword against American ingenuity, exacting a fresh €890M from Google on the heels of a €4.1B levy—a penalty that alone funded 2% of the EU’s entire budget. Google’s involuntary “contribution” to the EU budget is now greater than that of two-thirds of the Member States! Enough is enough.

We do not fear fair competition; we were built by it. But the Digital Markets Act, as wielded today, does not referee the game — it penalizes the winners for the crime of having won. That chills the very dynamism that has given users everywhere cheaper tools, better products, and freer information.

America’s commitment is unchanged: open markets, the rule of law, competition on the merits. We ask our European partners to build standards with us that reward the builders — not shelter the incumbents or punish excellence as though it were a trespass.

The transatlantic alliance is strongest when both shores create. We urge our European partners to build the future alongside us, rather than punishing those brave enough to reach it first.

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

Het gaat Trump uiteraard niet om dwangarbeid, maar om het overeind houden van zijn tarievenmuur. Europa kan pragmatisch omgaan met het gegoochel met rechtsgronden, zolang Washington de afspraken van #Turnberry respecteert. Pragmatisch, maar niet naïef.

https://t.co/ftSErTwTgk

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

Let it be crystal clear: Trump’s new tariffs cannot apply to EU companies and European generic medicines. We will not accept anything else. The Commission must demand clarity now. If Washington breaks #Turnberry, Europe must use the suspension clause. A deal is a deal.

https://t.co/zBsGNehWJG

[S&D Group @TheProgressives]

@kvanbrempt @brandobenifei @berndlange @SchaldemoseMEP @linagalvezmunoz Europe is a partner, not a follower.

The new transatlantic relationship must be built on mutual respect, shared values and international law. Not political pressure / economic coercion. We work with the US where we can, and we defend our citizens and industries when we must.

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

For every disagreement, #Trump invents a new tariff. His absurd 50% tariff on #Canada is also a warning to Europe: no deal can guarantee stability with Trump calling the shots. High time for Europe to seriously rethink the response to Trump’s tariff chaos. #EU #Trade

https://t.co/qBFuyzZfSX

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

Nieuwe tarieven van 50% tegen #Canada zijn absurd. Maar ook een waarschuwing voor Europa: geen enkel akkoord biedt zekerheid met #Trump aan de knoppen. Tijd dat de EU een duidelijke strategie uitwerkt om een antwoord te bieden op deze tarievenchaos. #EUUS

https://t.co/ntp3dmzgqA

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

Het kan wel. België toont Europees leiderschap met een importban voor goederen uit illegaal bezette gebieden.

Nu moet Europa volgen. @EU_Commission, leg eindelijk een voorstel op tafel & schors delen van het associatieverdrag. Dat kan ook zonder unanimiteit.

[S&D Group @TheProgressives]

A shocking outcome from today's meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Despite overwhelming evidence that Israel is violating international law, there is still no final decision to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement or ban trade with illegal settlements.

EU support for Gaza's reconstruction must go hand in hand with accountability for Israel's actions.

@IratxeGarper @Yannis_Maniatis @kvanbrempt

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

Enough hide-and-seek. The @EU_Commission and the Foreign Affairs Council cannot keep hiding behind unanimity. The EU does not need it to ban trade with illegal settlements or to suspend, at the very least, parts of the Association Agreement with #Israël. The only thing missing is the political courage to act.

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

The only right decision. Europe should not reward a government that resorts to sham reforms while attacking its own people, civil society, and journalists simply because they disagree with its course. Our place is with the people of Serbia, not the Vučić government. #pumpaj

https://t.co/0BzzZE0SXL

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

@GinaMonte8 @peetersfrank2 And certainly not Trump. Exactly what I said.

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

Even American presidents need to understand that not everything is for sale. The world is not a second-hand marketplace. Greenland is not for sale. It never was. It never will be. Its future belongs to the people of Greenland, and to them alone. Back off. #NATO #Greenland

[Kathleen Van Brempt @kvanbrempt]

"Cut off all trade" with a NATO ally, threatening Greenland, lashing out at allies who don't bow down. That is not how you treat partners.

This is exactly why we pushed for guarantees in the Turnberry tariff agreement with the US. Thanks to the European Parliament and @TheProgressives , the Commission now has the tools to respond to exactly this kind of threat.

Our message to Trump is clear: stop the reckless threats. We are ready to protect our Union and our sovereignty. And we will.

[S&D Group @TheProgressives]

We believe in Ukraine and in its future as a member of the European Union.

Today the EP votes a report recognising Ukraine’s remarkable progress towards EU membership - despite Russia’s campaign of terror directed at civilians - and challenges ahead.

https://t.co/uM20NkiJaN

[Belgian Red Devils @BelRedDevils]

Overturn this. 🧏‍♂️ #USABEL