European and Asian leaders to boost ties, trade, security

After failing to reach a breakthrough on Britain’s divorce terms from the European Union, EU leaders are rolling straight into another summit Thursday, this one aimed at forging closer links with Asia. The Asia-Europe meeting that starts Thursday night with a dinner attended by Belgian King Philippe will bring together 30 European leaders with their counterparts from 21 Asian nations, a membership that accounts for 55 percent of global trade. The meeting with the slogan, “Global Partners for Global Challenges” is happening amid a trade war between the United States and China and ongoing trade tensions between the EU and Washington. Read more here