https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/eu-leaders-kick-off-summit-with-wrangles-over-high-energy-prices-and-spendingContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/eu-leaders-kick-off-summit-with-wrangles-over-high-energy-prices-and-spendinghttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/eu-leaders-kick-off-summit-with-wrangles-over-high-energy-prices-and-spending#u135562Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:00:34 +0000European Union leaders opened a high-stakes summit in Brussels marked by deep divisions over soaring energy costs, bloc spending, and mounting economic friction with China. Participants argued over proposals to rein in high energy prices while resisting efforts to weaken the bloc emissions rules. Discussions also centered on the bloc budget and a massive trade deficit with Beijing, which reached a record US$34.8 billion in September. The summit exposed sharp policy splits among member states as leaders attempted to coordinate responses to severe economic uncertainties and external trade pressu