Joe Lynam

Last week, the European Commission sided with the airlines when it said that Spain was wrong to fine airlines for charging customers to take their bags onto the plane.

Those who thought that Trump's tariff wars had died down a bit were given a rude awakening at the weekend when he slapped a new 100% tariff on all Chinese goods.

Although he softened his tone two days later, Trump didn't cancel them.

It could force Madrid to repay up to 200 million euros to the airlines, including our own Ryanair, and end up in the European Court of Justice.

On top of that, there's a risk, though, of China taking retaliatory action against European companies after the Dutch government effectively expropriated a Chinese semiconductor company, which it accused of intellectual theft.

Consumer groups aren't so happy about it and want more clarity from the commission.

Augustin Reyna is the Director General of the European Consumer Advocate Group, BEOC, and is on the line.

So lots to talk about with Finbar Birmingham, the Europe correspondent of the South China Morning Post, who's on the line.

Good morning, Augustin.

Good morning, Finbar.

Good morning.

Now, Augustin, can you tell us more about what the Spanish government did regarding cabin bags?

Now, Finbar, let's start with China's reaction to this 100% tariff threat.

The usual response or relatively muted, would you say?

Now, of course, it's different for most of Europe.

Yeah.

What we what we usually like, what Trump usually likes seeing after he's done his taco maneuver is to have the big set piece meeting, as you were saying, in which everybody shakes hand and he looks like the great dealmaker.

You do pay for the privilege of taking your small handheld luggage onto the plane.

Is Spain the exception?

I presume the November 1st deadline, which was set by Trump at the weekend, will be kicked into the long grass until we know a little bit more about that meeting.