'Trade spats are a sign of how the costs of a long war are only now sinking in'
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
![Farmers enter Krakow, Poland, in tractors with Polish national flags during the nationwide farmers' strike on February 20, 2024. The protest is part of the European farmers' protest against the EU Green Deal regulations. Polish farmers also demand a change to the EU agreement with Ukraine regarding the import of agricultural produce to the EU.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YNWsxeQQzEd4UMtABCszEa-415-80.jpg)
'France's pot shot at Ukrainian chicken says a lot'
Lionel Laurent at Bloomberg
A "fight over food in Europe shows the growing problem of weariness" of Ukraine's allies as its war drags on, says Lionel Laurent. Polish farmers are protesting shipments of cheap Ukrainian grain. French poultry farmers are "calling for a halt to cheap Ukrainian chicken imports," and the government, losing ground to far-right rivals, is promising "to protect protesting farmers." Subsidizing them might help, but so would making it clear what defeat on Europe's border would look like.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'An EPA squeeze on fossil fuels'
The Wall Street Journal editorial board
The EPA recently is "slashing" ambient air quality rules, says The Wall Street Journal editorial board. It's reducing the standard for fine particulate matter — generated in fossil-fuel combustion — by 25%. But 84% of this pollution comes from "non-industrial sources" like road dust and agriculture. The change could make permitting harder for "everything from new gas-fired power plants to semiconductor factories and highway construction," yielding "negligible public-health benefits" but big costs. "Climate trumps all in the Biden administration."
'Recycling doesn't work — and the plastics industry knew it'
Kate Aronoff in The New Republic
"Hardly any plastics can be recycled," says Kate Aronoff. One study found that between 1990 and 2015 90% of plastics "ended up in a landfill, were burned, or leaked into the environment." Another study concluded that "just 5 to 6 percent are successfully recycled." The petrochemical industry knew decades ago recycling was no solution, but insisted it worked to ward off potential plastic bans. "Plastics are a plague, and the executives who produce them should be made into pariahs."
'"Work longer" is no solution for people who can't afford to retire'
Teresa Ghilarducci in the Los Angeles Times
America's retirement system is "severely broken," says Teresa Ghilarducci. "Most Americans do not have enough money to retire on," so they keep working. Many workers 75 and older — "the fastest-growing age segment of the workforce" — are "stuck in low-paying, physically demanding" jobs. A "Gray New Deal," with subsidized, guaranteed retirement accounts and advanced-funded pensions, and expanded Social Security, would save money and lives. "Working until you drop is not a civilized plan for a civilized society."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Harold Maass is a contributing editor at The Week. He has been writing for The Week since the 2001 debut of the U.S. print edition and served as editor of TheWeek.com when it launched in 2008. Harold started his career as a newspaper reporter in South Florida and Haiti. He has previously worked for a variety of news outlets, including The Miami Herald, ABC News and Fox News, and for several years wrote a daily roundup of financial news for The Week and Yahoo Finance.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'In a normal country, their activities wouldn't even be crimes'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The US presidents who decided not to run for a second term
The Explainer Joe Biden's decision to end his re-election campaign was shocking, but there's a long history of presidents who've bowed out on a chance at four more years
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Democrats now have a chance to present a vigorous, compelling case'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Spare us the charade'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
The convention speakers whose political stars rose
The Explainer Why you're likely to see the future leaders of the Democratic and Republican Parties at the conventions
By David Faris Published
-
The GOP is Donald Trump Jr.'s party now
In The Spotlight The former president's gun-loving, live-streaming adult son has emerged as more than just his father's namesake — he's become a Republican powerhouse of his own
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How Biden's enablers may have delayed his bowing out
Talking Points Joe Biden's inner circle faces calls for a reckoning for allegedly shielding the president — and the public — from questions of aging and electoral viability
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published