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European Council

The European Council: A prominent Brussels-based supranational intergovernmental body, the European Council defines the European Union’s overall political direction and priorities. Comprising EU heads of state or government, its President, and the European Commission President, it represents the highest level of political cooperation. Its main activities include setting the EU’s political agenda, addressing complex issues, and shaping common foreign and security policy. Recognised as a strategic, crisis-solving institution, it provides crucial impetus for European integration and appoints key EU officials.

European Council

EU sets China October deadline for ‘tangible results’ after key trade talks

Marathon session in Brussels sees Beijing agreeing to establish a ‘joint monitoring mechanism of trade flows’ to help ease economic tensions.

EU confronts ‘China shock’ ahead of pivotal Brussels trade talks

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China isn’t Europe’s real problem

Trump threatens 100% tariff on countries that impose digital services tax

The US president singled out European nations in a push against foreign efforts to tax or regulate American tech giants.

As I see it | Europe wants a new Plaza Accord for China – seriously?

Instead of hoping for Beijing to commit economic suicide, it would be more realistic for the EU to strike a mutually acceptable trade deal.

Swedish minister brings baby to EU meeting, a first for the bloc

She did so to highlight the benefits of parental leave policies that do not force women to choose between work and family.

EU releases €3 billion loan for Ukraine’s recovery

The EU has provided €200 billion in support to Ukraine so far, and approved €90 billion more over the next two years.

Opinion | EU and China need a grand bargain to avoid a trade war

A mutually beneficial pact must acknowledge a new economic reality and more fully tap the potential for two-way investment.

Opinion | Europe was happy with the trade rules – until China’s industrial rise

Beijing should not be accused of trade unfairness simply because Chinese companies have become efficient, innovative and globally competitive.

China rejects trade criticism after Merz backs global yuan action

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang defended China’s exports after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a Plaza Accord-style intervention to strengthen the yuan.

My Take | The end of history has come and gone for Europe

EU bureaucrats thought they had left power politics behind. Now it is coming back to bite them.

Germany backs EU’s tough China line with call for ‘Plaza Accord’ talks on yuan

European Commission on a mission to craft tools to tackle what the bloc sees as China’s industrial excesses.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | European Union and China in for period of tension

Leaders from the 27 European Union member states have met in Brussels to counter Beijing’s growing economic influence.

G7 rare earths, US-Iran peace deal, Summer Davos

EU hits ‘make-or-break moment’ as divided leaders confront ‘China shock 2.0’

EU member states poised to confront internal divisions and launch aggressive trade defences against systemic threat posed by Beijing.

EU nations ready to battle ‘China Shock 2.0’ with tough new strategy

Broad coalition of EU members support new trade strategy to prevent China causing European deindustrialisation as key Brussels summit looms.

Alibaba Cloud expands in France amid Europe’s data sovereignty push

Opening of Paris hub is a response to increased demand, says the China tech giant as it looks to roll out agentic AI services across Europe.

EU bows to Trump pressure on tariffs but warns of future chaos

Trump has threatened ‘much higher’ levies if the EU does not remove import duties on US industrial goods by July 4.

Trump urges Russia to make deal with Ukraine after meeting Zelensky at G7

US president says ‘gonna do whatever I can’ as Europe presses Trump for more support.

‘It’s absurd’: how the EU’s new carbon tariff is causing havoc in China

The system is creating huge new compliance burdens for China’s steel firms, with smaller producers using greener technology often hit hardest.

EU says China trained Russian troops as bloc weighs tougher stance on Beijing

Kallas cites verified reports of Chinese training for Russian forces as Brussels weighs sanctions and new trade measures.

Europe is blaming China’s economic rise for its own failures, think tank says

It comes as Beijing reportedly cancelled two meetings with the EU this month, and as the bloc prepares for key talks on China policy.

Have trade tensions scuppered EU-China talks ahead of tough Brussels decisions?

June 23 meeting in Beijing postponed without warning as bilateral ties deteriorate on a near-daily basis.

Opinion | EU threat of trade war against China is a strategic farce

The EU is mistaken in believing it still has economic leverage. A trade war will not save an economy in decline.

Dan Flavin’s luminous legacy shines in Hong Kong’s first solo exhibition

The American artist’s minimalist light grids debut in Hong Kong, showcasing Flavin’s pioneering use of fluorescent lamps.

China debate reaches fever pitch in Brussels as EU’s crunch fortnight kicks off

Ahead of next week’s leaders’ summit, some are pushing for the bloc to end its ‘naivety’ and forcefully counter cheap imports.

Armenia sets course towards West as Pashinyan secures election win

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gets a third consecutive term following a general election.

EU, China hold talks as trade war looms

China trade envoy Li Chenggang is to meet EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic to set up a platform for discussing trade and investment as Europe considers a tougher approach to stem a flood of low-cost Chinese imports.

Opinion | China isn’t Europe’s real problem

Video | European Union and China in for period of tension