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Diplomacy

US President Donald Trump throws hats to supporters during a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas on October 27, 2026. Photo: AFP
US midterm elections 2026

US, Brazil deliver double blow to the populist right. Will Europe feel the hit?

While Trump and Bolsonaro face backlash in the Americas, right-wing movements remain resilient in France and Germany.

US midterm elections 2026

Defiant Hegseth tells US Democrats their impeachment push ‘won’t work’

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China-Latin America relations

US sanctions Chinese firms over alleged military supplies to Cuba

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US-China relations

Why the next US House speaker won’t follow Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan playbook

‘Moderate’ Democratic congressman Hakeem Jeffries is unlikely to pursue high-profile engagement with Taipei, analysts say.

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Hakeem Jeffries, the US House’s top-ranking Democrat, announced his bid for the speakership on Wednesday after Democrats won a majority of seats in the midterm elections. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Hakeem Jeffries, the US House’s top-ranking Democrat, announced his bid for the speakership on Wednesday after Democrats won a majority of seats in the midterm elections. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
US midterm elections 2026

Facing 2 years as a lame duck, what can Trump do to stay in control?

As Congress threatens his agenda at home, Trump may become even more aggressive overseas and reliant on executive orders.

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China-North Korea relations

Chinese and North Korean officials step up diplomatic drive in wake of Kim visit

Both sides pledge to increase cooperation following the North Korean supreme leader’s recent trip to the border city of Dandong.

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US-China relations

China, US defence officials agree to improve ‘communication’ to reduce risks

Military officials from two countries to work on promoting ‘effective’ crisis management after constructive meeting in Washington.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House in Washington on September 24, 2026. Days after their summit, Beijing and Washington agreed on a memorandum of understanding for “crisis communication and prevention”. Photo: EPA
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House in Washington on September 24, 2026. Days after their summit, Beijing and Washington agreed on a memorandum of understanding for “crisis communication and prevention”. Photo: EPA
US midterm elections 2026

Republicans face prospect of ‘civil war’ as Trump’s aura starts to fade

Traditional Republican China hawks may try to challenge the influence of the US president and his Maga allies after election disaster.

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US midterm elections 2026

Europe’s relief over US midterms tempered by prospect of Trump backlash

Europe welcomes Democratic landslide, but fears over Ukraine, trade disputes and defence spending mute optimism.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

What is the one big thing that could stop Xi, Putin and Trump meeting at Apec?

Preparations are reportedly under way for three-way talks and each party would have something to gain.

Will the leaders of the US, Russia and China hold three-way talks when Apec meets in Shenzhen this month? Photo: AP
US midterm elections 2026

In Asia, midterms spark worries about diplomatic uncertainty, economic pressure

For US allies, there are concerns that a lame-duck Trump administration might squeeze them to score some easy diplomatic wins.

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Analysts argue the US midterm results will drive the Trump administration to boost pressure on Washington’s Asian allies to invest in the US and shoulder a greater share of their security burden. Photo: AFP
Analysts argue the US midterm results will drive the Trump administration to boost pressure on Washington’s Asian allies to invest in the US and shoulder a greater share of their security burden. Photo: AFP
US midterm elections 2026

US midterm takeaways: Trump’s blame game, Elon’s space lasers and the rest of the world

The American president points to petrol prices, Musk looks to the skies and China singles out strategic stability.

US midterm elections 2026

Trump suffers midterms trouncing weeks before Xi meeting

A collapse in the president’s poll ratings helped Democrats gain control of both houses of Congress in midterm elections.

US-China relations

‘Fake democracy’ or a plus for Beijing? Chinese internet users on the US midterms

Some commenters have criticised Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran and mocked what they call his unpredictability on foreign policy.

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The midterm results mean US President Donald Trump will face an opposition Congress during the final two years of his second term. Photo: AP
US midterm elections 2026

US midterm shift could squeeze China on AI, bring clarity to bilateral talks

Beijing eyes steady US ties after elections, while analysts say Democratic gains could bring fresh pressure over Taiwan and tech.

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Robots undergo training at a manufacturing plant in China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on January 30. Photo: Xinhua
Robots undergo training at a manufacturing plant in China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on January 30. Photo: Xinhua
US midterm elections 2026

Trump deflects blame as Democrats prepare to control Congress after the midterms

Democrats are projected to seize control of both chambers of Congress as the president says he will accept the election result.

US midterm elections 2026

Will US midterms and lame duck Trump force a rethink in Beijing and beyond?

Political leaders in China and further afield face uncertain future as they gauge how unpredictable US president reacts to disastrous loss.

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US midterm elections 2026

Frequently labelled as communists, who are the Democratic Socialists of America?

Once dismissed as a fringe movement, the organisation is gaining political ground with DSA-backed candidates poised to enter Congress.

A DSA supporter during a midterm campaign rally for Michigan Democratic US Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Photo: AFP
A DSA supporter during a midterm campaign rally for Michigan Democratic US Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Will US midterm results lead to disruption in Washington’s ties with China?

There may be changes ahead but do not expect a massive disruptive blow to relations between Washington and Beijing.

Pacific nations

China training Solomon Islands police to use water cannons under security pact

Training programme announced after new government said it would review its current agreements with Beijing.

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US midterm elections 2026

US midterms: what happened while Asia slept, and when to expect results

Apart from tech issues at some polling stations, voting went smoothly despite Trump’s claims of fraud and an ICE warning to illegal voters.

A drone view shows a billboard featuring US President Donald Trump and a sign referencing gasoline prices, ahead of the midterm elections in Michigan on November 2, 2026. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

China accuses Philippine politicians of ‘intolerable’ conduct as tensions rise

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi urges the Philippines to rein in politicians who had repeatedly ‘smeared’ Beijing and crossed its ‘red lines’.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the Philippines to stop some of their politicians from crossing “red lines”. Photo: AFP
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the Philippines to stop some of their politicians from crossing “red lines”. Photo: AFP
China-Middle East relations

Israel deepens Somaliland ties with first ambassador, testing regional balance

China and Djibouti jointly reaffirm Somalia’s territorial integrity and emphasise importance of freedom of navigation.

Mainland China

China’s AI ‘shock’, EU ‘kill switch’, Mbappe fiasco: 7 global relations reads

From a footballer’s faux pas to an EU ‘kill switch’, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in October 2026.

China-Latin America relations

Cuba flight, Taiwan trade trouble, Panama probe: 7 Latin America relations reads

From support from Taiwan to Brazil’s mainland China ties, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in October 2026.

Air China struggled to get passengers out of Cuba in October as the US oil embargo hit the island nation hard. File photo: Shutterstock
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