Brussels Playbook Podcast

Canada, coffins and confessionals

2026-11-02

The jet lag has barely worn off, but Brussels is already grappling with what its new relationship with Canada could actually look like.After the 48-hour whirlwind EU-Canada summit in Montreal, Prime Minister Mark Carney has given the EU six months to hash out what “associate membership” actually means. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack the deals struck at the summit and what lies ahead for the relations between the two powers. Next, after last month's unwieldy European Council summit drew criticism of its president, Antonio Costa, he's doubling down on his push to secure a budget by 2027. This week, his head of cabinet Pedro Lourtie will be holding so-called “confessionals” with national governments to get a sense of where they stand.And finally, Europe’s coffin makers are afraid Chinese competitors could be the death of their business.Questions, comments? Please write in! Find us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29.Articles mentioned in this episode: EU and Canada’s 6-month test of commitment. 8 things we learned at the EU-Canada summit. Europe’s coffin-makers warn Chinese imports could be death knell for industry.This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No. of episodes

673

Latest episode

2026-11-02

Where can you listen?

POLITICO’s daily audio briefing on what’s moving Brussels — and why it matters.The Brussels Playbook Podcast is the audio extension of the Brussels Playbook newsletter. Hosted by POLITICO's chief EU correspondent, Zoya Sheftalovich, the podcast runs Monday through Thursday, offering a clear, reporting-driven guide to EU politics in under 15 minutes. It’s a perfect companion for your morning coffee.Each episode takes listeners inside the decisions, power shifts and debates shaping the day in Brussels — and explains how they connect to national capitals across Europe.Clear, conversational and shaped by reporting from the heart of the EU, the Brussels Playbook Podcast brings context to EU politics as your day begins.On Fridays, the same feed features a longer episode that goes deeper into the week’s biggest themes, offering context and analysis beyond the daily news cycle — with Sarah Wheaton behind the mic.