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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.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, says goodbye to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, UK on Sunday. Photo: EPA
Ukraine war

UK, France, Germany back direct Ukraine-Russia talks: joint statement

Putin has so far ruled out a face-to-face meeting, saying he sees ‘no point’ in meeting Zelensky until a possible peace deal had been agreed.

United States

Editorial | US tariff threat over forced labour looks like old wine in a new bottle

History

In D-Day speech, Hegseth urges Europe to counter ‘invasion’ of migrants

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Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo urges end to ‘polarising narratives’ on Spain visit

The pope says he hopes the week-long tour of Spain will set an example to the world about respecting ‘every human being’.

Pope Leo waves to faithful from the popemobile after a welcoming event at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday. Photo: EPA
Russia

UK’s Keir Starmer says Russia could attack Nato within 4 years

His comments echo similar time frames expressed by other European leaders and Nato chief Mark Rutte.

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China-EU relations

EU needs a ‘dedicated instrument’ to unwind China dependencies, trade chief says

The bloc may force companies to diversify their suppliers, after Beijing’s use of export controls put pressure on EU industry.

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Diplomacy

As I see it | Trump is turning allies and partners into friends of China

Dealing with Beijing offers countries such as Canada and India more leverage with the US in addition to economic benefits.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shakes hands with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney after signing various memorandums of understanding in New Delhi, India, on March 2. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

Outside In | Europe blaming China for trade imbalance ignores its own policy failures

How are Beijing’s successful industrial policies any different from those used by Europe, the US or the ‘Asian tigers’ in the past?

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China-EU relations

European CEOs more optimistic about business in India than in China

34 per cent expect business conditions in China to improve by end of decade, while 63 per cent have positive expectations for India.

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Britain

Opinion | UK could take a leaf out of Hong Kong’s supply-side economics

Too much government interference, whether through subsidies or regulatory pressure, stifles the very growth that can better society.

A pedestrian walks along the River Thames and mudlarks during low tide, with the City of London financial district in the background on September 15, 2025. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong politics

7 taken away as police ramp up patrols around former site of Tiananmen vigil

Hong Kong police say they stopped and searched five men and two women in Causeway Bay for allegedly disrupting order.

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Victoria Park in Causeway Bay is currently hosting a five-day “Hometown Market”. Photo: Karma Lo
China-EU relations

EU trade chief swipes at China overcapacity, but vows ‘meaningful’ discussions

Maros Sefcovic made the remarks after meeting China’s chief trade negotiator, but says both sides are focused on mutual success.

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China trade

Why China is defending industrial subsidies against ‘one-sided’ OECD report

The dispute comes as industrial policy becomes a major point of contention in global trade, particularly in hi-tech and strategic sectors.

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China trade

Shanghai urged to unify incentives as EU firms in China flag rising challenges

European chamber pushes for ‘one Shanghai’ policy as survey reveals cross-border capital flow and market access barriers weigh on operations.

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Among Shanghai respondents in a survey, 68 per cent said the city had become a more difficult place to do business over the past year – the highest share among the European Chamber of Commerce in China’s regional chapters. Photo: Xinhua
Albania

Protests grow over Trump family-linked resort project in Albania

Luxury project linked to Jared Kushner is planned for an uninhabited island and pristine coastline, sparking resistance.

A demonstrator is hit with a water cannon used by police during a protest in Tirana, Albania, against the luxury resort. Photo: Reuters
Hungary

Ukraine, Hungary agree on minority rights, paving way for EU accession talks

The long-running dispute had strained ties between Budapest and Kyiv and complicated Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

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US-China trade war

‘Utterly absurd’: China and EU push back on US forced labour tariff claims

Trump administration threatens tariffs of up to 12.5 per cent on imports from 60 economies over failure to ban goods made with forced labour.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine drone strikes causing ‘panic’ for Kremlin, EU’s Kallas says

Russia is increasing attacks on civilians because it doesn’t know how to respond to attacks deep in its territory, the top EU diplomat says.

Smoke billows following hits by Ukrainian drones at an oil terminal in St Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday. Photo: Social media via Reuters
Nordic nations

Denmark PM presents new government, with majority of women

For the first time in Danish history, the new cabinet will consist of more women than men.

China-Latin America relations

China opens door to all Brazilian beef, then slams it with a 55% surtax

Recognition lifts a long-standing sanitary barrier, but an import quota in force since January caps how far Brazilian beef sales can grow.

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China-EU relations

Putin in Beijing, ‘China shock’ in EU: 7 global relations reads

From ‘miscalculation’ by the Dutch navy to China on Iran mediation, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in May 2026.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: AP
Nordic nations

Sweden prepares prisons for 13-year-old gang killers

Gangs use social media to recruit teenagers, and in some cases children as young as 11, to commit murders and bombings across the Nordics.

Gabriel Wessman, director of Sweden’s Rosersberg Prison, stands in a cell being rebuilt to house teenage offenders. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Prabowo’s overseas visits spark debate in Indonesia over benefits for citizens

Several deals signed in Paris have led to discussions on their merit and the frequency of Prabowo’s official trips around the world.

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China manufacturing

China’s overseas expansion fuelled by government subsidies: OECD report

While OECD figures suggest subsidies have driven Chinese firms’ rapid growth abroad, a Chinese chamber of commerce questioned the report’s standards.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Letters | Asia can’t wait for the US to lift its naval blockade on Iran

Readers discuss how to make the blockade costly for Washington, the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, and the success of a grass-roots film.

Life goes on around a shopping arcade in Tehran on May 31. Washington’s strategy rests on a Western fantasy: that a heavily sanctioned authoritarian state will simply collapse quietly. History says otherwise. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Why oil-hungry Asia ignores risks linked to Russia’s ‘dark fleet’

Asia prioritises fuel needs over security risks from Russian oil to survive the energy crisis, despite sanctions and diplomatic dilemmas.

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Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels wait in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia, on April 10. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

China’s SAIC plans to build first EU car plant in Spain’s Galicia

Galicia’s leader Alfonso Rueda said his administration ‌had given the project an initial investment envisaged at around US$232 million.

France

French police arrest 780 after violent Paris Saint-Germain celebrations

Authorities said that planned celebrations for the team’s win on Sunday afternoon at the Champ de Mars, near the Eiffel Tower, would go ahead as scheduled.

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