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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.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the CDU headquarters in Berlin, Germany on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Germany

Germany’s Merz vows to press ahead with reforms after state election defeat

Exit polls showed Merz’s centre-right Christian Democratic Union coming in with just 5 per cent of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Britain

UK’s Burnham congratulates Trump and Danish PM on Greenland deal

Italy

Italy’s Meloni plans to ban burkas in schools and place cap on foreign pupils

Canada

France’s Macron visits Atlantic territory as EU embraces Canada

Macron is facing pressure over rising fuel prices and said he would like Canada to broaden its exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe rather than Asia.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands at a meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20. Photo: AP
China exports

China’s trade limits continue to bite into Japan’s rare earth imports

Rare earth magnet imports fall 17 per cent, following a 52 per cent plunge in July, amid deteriorating ties between Beijing and Tokyo.

Denmark

Denmark cautiously optimistic over Trump’s Greenland deal

The Arctic island’s leaders have echoed that, saying the security agreement, which maintains Danish control, was long in coming.

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China-Africa relations

As rival navies turn away, Beijing faces a Somalia test

Piracy off the waters of Somalia is at a decade high, testing Beijing’s role as other naval powers focus elsewhere.

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Chinese navy escort task forces have operated in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia since 2008, protecting commercial shipping and supporting counter-piracy patrols. Photo: Xinhua
China-EU relations

Open Questions | Pascal Lamy says Europe at ‘moment of truth’ on China trade

Former World Trade Organization chief believes Chinese authorities’ lack of interest in addressing structural macroeconomic imbalance presents a ‘huge problem’ for European Union.

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China-EU relations

Brussels announces dates for next round of China-EU trade talks in Beijing

October 8-9 schedule revealed after video call between European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

Donald Trump

Trump says ‘major progress’ made towards US base in Poland

Announcement comes despite a wider US review of troop levels in Europe and tensions over Nato defence spending.

US soldiers watch Nato military exercises in Poland in May. Photo: TNS
US-China relations

China edges US, EU on AI regulation trust in middle-income countries: Pew survey

US think tank study finds middle-income countries have ‘more positive views of China’ when it comes to regulating AI effectively.

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A Pew survey found that China leads the US and the European Union in trust in AI regulation among mostly middle-income countries. Photo: Shutterstock
China-EU relations

Von der Leyen’s ‘China shock’ speech aimed to send Beijing a message: analysts

The EU leader’s speech was light on specifics, but aimed to signal firm stance ahead of looming trade talks with Beijing, analysts say.

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Canada

Carney seizes Canada-EU associate membership plan despite Trump’s ire

Welcoming the idea that Trump called ‘laughable’, the Canadian PM told the European Parliament, ‘we do not seek power to dominate others’.

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Russia

‘War without battle’: Russia tests Europe with mounting hybrid attacks

From sabotage and arson to cyberattacks and airspace violations, officials say Moscow’s hybrid actions have moved deeper into Europe.

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A police officer walks next to an explosive-disarming robot at Germany’s Leipzig airport last month after a drone was found near a runway. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Trump threatens EU over ‘hostile’ proposal to make Canada associate member

US president warns of severe trade action as Ursula von der Leyen pitches historic partnership to Mark Carney.

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US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

China pushes back against US sanctions bill targeting Russia’s top energy buyers

Beijing braces as US House clears ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

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Britain

As EU cosies up to Canada, Burnham’s Brexit Britain feels sidelined

The bloc prioritises deepening ties with Ottawa over warming up to the UK leader’s overtures to reset post-Brexit relations.

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China-EU relations

Von der Leyen vows tough stance with China, using EU’s tools to rebalance trade

Brussels is looking to reduce reliance on Chinese raw materials, and Beijing again urges the EU to avoid protectionist policies.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual State of the Union address on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Sweden’s long election night leaves few certainties – except caution on China

Despite close result, main parties agree on reducing economic dependence on China and pushing Europe towards a tougher line on Beijing.

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Canada

Carney shares Trump joke to sum up US-Canada ties: ‘maybe they’ll shoot you’

The PM shared an anecdote about how Trump gave him a key to the White House but jokingly warned that ‘maybe they’ll shoot you’.

United States

Opinion | The world is not so much embracing China as recoiling from Trump’s US

The US is haemorrhaging goodwill around the world, but China will have to build up its own trustworthiness and credibility to win hearts and minds.

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US President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, en route to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on August 21. Photo: Reuters
Social media

EU to propose curbing social media, online games for under 15s

The European Commission has come under pressure from some EU member states to take bloc-wide measures to protect children.

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A teenager looks at her smartphone in Brussels. The EU already has powerful laws to protect children including the content rules known as the Digital Services Act. Photo: AFP
China trade

German firms want tougher action on Beijing. So why are investments in China up?

Companies are caught between China’s growing competitive threat and its importance as a market, manufacturer and source of growth.

China-France relations

China urges ‘constructive dialogue’ with EU in high-level call with France

Amid tensions over subsidies and deficits, Beijing’s top diplomat tells French counterpart the two sides should keep to their partnership.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine says ready for ‘de-escalatory steps’ if Russia does same

Kyiv demands genuine commitment from Moscow as Trump claims deal to halt refinery and grid attacks.

epa13178801 Cars line up at a Gazprom Neft gas station in Moscow, Russia, 19 August 2026. Sales limitations on fuel at some gas stations come as a result of repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV
Britain

UK’s unity threatened by pact between Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

First ministers of the three semi-autonomous regions of the UK align on EU future as London brushes aside threat to union.

A Union flag flies in front of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London. Photo: Shutterstock
Nato

Finland to join France’s forward nuclear deterrent

France’s initiative would extend its nuclear deterrent to other European countries through joint exercises.

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Ukraine war

Poland and Ukraine denounce train strike on route used by foreign dignitaries

Drone attack at Ukraine station 2km from the Polish frontier occurred shortly after visitors – including Boris Johnson – passed through.

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