Europe faces big economic, trade and public health issues as Germany takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The EU’s most powerful member became president of the Council on July 1. It will head the 27-member political and economic bloc for the next six months. As the EU’s president, German officials will be dealing with the COVID-19 health crisis and the economic damage it has caused in Europe. Other issues include the effects of Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, the bloc’s trade with China and tensions with the United States.