France had aimed to double its defence budget from 2017 levels by 2030. However, Macron pledged to reach the target by 2027.

French President Emmanuel Macron announces 6.5 billion euros in additional military spending over the next two years ...

To be free in this world we must be feared. To be feared we must be powerful,'' the French president said in announcing billions in new military spending.

The European Union said on Sunday it would extend its suspension of countermeasures to U.S. tariffs until early August and continue to press for a negotiated settlement as U.S. President Donald ...