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European Union
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European Union

European Union
European Union
The latest breaking news and stories on the European Union (EU), an economic and political union of 27 member states mainly located in Europe, which accounts for around a sixth of global economic output. Also covering the EU’s relationship with the UK (post Brexit), China and the US, plus commentary and updates on EU legislation, the euro and trade.
A China-Europe freight train leaves Xian, Shaanxi province, in November. Photo: Xinhua
China trade

Beijing to upgrade railway freight services to Europe

Agreement to build first phase of a multifunctional terminal at Kuryk, a Kazakh port on the Caspian Sea, signed in Shanghai recently.

Climate change

Spain declares national emergency as wildfires force thousands to evacuate

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United States

Outside In | Trump’s latest tariff tantrum unlikely to end well for the US

US-China trade war

Trump’s new tariffs, stock market intervention, mega IPOs

This week: Trump levies new tariffs against 60 US trading partners, China’s ‘national team’ investors prop up tumbling stock market, and Bessent threatens sanctions against Chinese AI developers. Next week: CXMT debuts in Shanghai followed by Zhongji Innolight in Hong Kong after blockbuster IPOs, China’s Politburo likely to discuss economy, ChinaJoy draws gamers in Shanghai, and more.

Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Developing | China adds 14 EU entities to export control list, hitting back at sanctions

Ministry of Commerce action follows a new round of EU sanctions on Russia that affected 14 firms from mainland China and Hong Kong.

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SCMP Highlights

Fresh US tariffs on 60 economies; first China duo win Fields Medal: 7 highlights

From a new Chinese AI model to a Singapore minister’s resignation, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

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US-China trade war

Liberation Day 2.0? US slaps fresh wave of tariffs on China, 50-plus economies

‘Forced labour’ duties replace Trump administration’s original sweeping levies but are unlikely to generate the same level of global shock.

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US President Donald Trump at a rally in Georgia on Wednesday, before the administration’s tariff announcement. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

Opinion | As the West finds common cause, China prepares for the worst

Far from being able to take advantage of fissures among Western allies, China faces narrowing diplomatic options. But all leverage is not lost.

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China-Latin America relations

China vows to defend Brazil’s sovereignty as Trump’s 25% tariff bites

Wang Yi tells Brazilian foreign minister Beijing backs Brazil’s sovereignty, and asks for support on ‘China’s own core interests’ in return.

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China-EU relations

EU waters down Russia sanctions over fears China could seize key LNG assets

Bloc concludes banning Greek companies from transporting Russian gas to third countries may hand strategic shipping advantages to Beijing.

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The Sun Arrows tanker loads its cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the port of Prigorodnoye, Russia. The EU has watered down sanctions on Moscow amid fears that China could seize crucial LNG assets. Photo: AP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Powering ahead: China’s Geely taps Ford’s Spain plant for European EV expansion

Tie-up breathes new life into plant near Valencia and signals Chinese carmakers’ stepped-up push to go global amid tariff pressures.

Welding robots at work at Geely’s plant in Yiwu, China’s Zhejiang province. Photo: Xinhua
China-EU relations

EU push to remove Huawei, ZTE gear will cost 3 times official estimate: report

GSMA Intelligence says move will cost up to US$46 billion, roughly three times more than European Commission has suggested.

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Google

EU fines Google US$1 billion, risking US fury

The fines are the biggest in total against one company under the competition law known as the Digital Markets Act.

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China-EU relations

China, EU pushing ahead on joint research despite trade tensions

Joint 2025-2027 research agreement covers climate and agriculture, state media says, signalling will to collaborate in spite of differences.

Harvesters at work in a rice field in Hangzhou, eastern China. China and the EU are reported to have signed joint research funding agreements to support scientific cooperation in areas such as food, agriculture and biosolutions, as well as climate change and biodiversity. Photo: Xinhua
China-EU relations

Beijing vows to protect Chinese firms after EU hits Alibaba unit with fine

Commerce officials decry “discriminatory” barriers as source says firm had hired several outside consultants to vet goods and curb counterfeits.

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An AliExpress shop is seen in Madrid, Spain, on Monday. Photo: Europa Press via Getty Images
China-EU relations

Inspectors checking workers’ papers at BYD factory site in Hungary: source

Country’s new prime minister has launched an investigation into the Chinese electric vehicle giant’s investment in Hungary.

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China trade

Video | Brussels is probing Pekin duck

The European Commission has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese duck meat after local producers raised alarms over surging low-cost imports from China disrupting their market.

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China economy

Opinion | China is growing its export channels with railways through Central Asia

Beijing is seeking to diversify its export channels as geopolitical tensions destabilise maritime trade hubs.

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Chinese workers are seen in a tunnel in Kyrgyzstan, on February 13, part of the 523km China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway currently under construction. Photo: Xinhua
France

France parliament approves social media ban for children under 15, in EU first

The bill also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools, expected to take effect from the beginning of the next school year.

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China-EU relations

Opinion | Europe wants to confront China – but without the consequences

Until its governments own the choices that follow from their actions, Europe will keep diagnosing power while others decide its fate.

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China-EU relations

EU lawmakers arrive in China for high-stakes talks to manage mounting tensions

Wang Yi calls on delegation to strengthen exchanges across Chinese society for ‘a genuine, multi-dimensional and evolving perspective’.

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An eight-member delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by committee chairman David McAllister (pictured) arrived in China on Tuesday. Photo: European Union
Electric & new energy vehicles

As BYD marks Brazil milestone, Europe weighs response to surge in Chinese EVs

BYD hits 100,000 EVs in South American country, but calls grow in Europe for higher tariffs on Chinese products to shield local industry.

Workers check vehicles in BYD’s plant in Camacari, Brazil, on February 3, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Hungary

Chess champion turns down offer to be Hungary’s president

Prime Minister Peter Magyar had floated Judit Polgar, but chess icon says she lacks the strength to lead a fractured country.

Britain

China’s Li congratulates Andy Burnham on becoming Britain’s new prime minister

Li said strengthening dialogue and cooperation between ⁠China and the UK will benefit ‌the nations and ‘inject stability into global ‌peace’.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Hungary probes deal with China’s BYD after ex-foreign minister takes job there

Peter Szijjarto’s announcement that he would take a job at the world’s top electric carmaker prompted accusations of a conflict of interest.

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Hungary’s Peter Szijjarto, right, shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Budapest, Hungary on February 11. Szijjarto recently resigned as foreign minister to take an executive position at BYD. Photo: AFP
China exports

‘Made in China’ increasingly a symbol for hi-tech and high value

Led by robots and EVs, the country’s move up the industrial value chain is gaining momentum, June’s industrial export figures show.

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A woman poses next to humanoid robots at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Saturday. More than 400 such models have been developed in China, according to official data. Photo: AFP
Alibaba

Alibaba vows to appeal US$629m EU fine for breaches of Digital Services Act

The e-commerce firm described the fine as ‘disproportionate’ and said it did not reflect ‘significant, proactive enhancements’ it undertook.

China-EU relations

Can Europe win a trade war with China? It may depend on how victory is defined

Brussels is increasingly determined to ensure core industries survive if confrontation with Beijing proves unavoidable.

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