Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström together with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Trade Minister of Australia Steven Ciobo officially launched negotiations for a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement between the EU and Australia in the Australian capital of Canberra. 

Leaders of the G7 committed to fight protectionism and to defend the rules-based international trading system. G7 leaders called for the modernisation of the World Trade Organisation. They also stressed the need to avoid excess capacity in sectors such as aluminium and high technology. 

The US announced that starting on 1 June 2018 it will impose additional duties of 25 % and 10 % respectively on imports of steel and aluminium from the EU.

The Foreign Affairs Council held a debate on Iran, in particular the Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), following the US withdrawal from the agreement as announced on 8 May. 

The Commission presented the outcome of negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan and the trade and investment agreements with Singapore to the Council. This is the first step towards the signature and conclusion of these agreements. 

Foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in Syria, including the aftermath to the targeted US, French and UK airstrikes on chemical weapons facilities.

Defence ministers met in "PESCO format" for the first time. They adopted a decision formally establishing the list of projects to be developed under PESCO (permanent structured cooperation) and a recommendation on an implementation roadmap. 

The draft Withdrawal Agreement consists of six parts – including introductory provisions, citizens' rights, other separation issues such as goods placed on the market before the withdrawal date, the financial settlement, transitional arrangements, and institutional provisions – and a protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland.