If the Oval Office is like a blockbuster series on Netflix, the EU meeting was like watching another rainy weather forecast. EU leaders have been shaken by Donald Trump and the implications of what he is doing to security, trade and transatlantic relations. Since early 2024 the EU has been in receipt of two reports from former Italian prime ministers Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi on the single market and competitiveness. Ireland fears that a single supervisor, probably based in Paris, could undermine its advantages in international financial services. And will Ireland champion moves to really complete the single market?

Source: The Irish Times February 14, 2026 14:37 UTC