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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.
China’s Commerce Minister, Wang Wentao, reached out to his German counterpart amid reports of a plan to shut China out of the European market. Photo: DPA
China-EU relations

Beijing and Berlin ‘exchanged opinions’ amid reported plan to cut off China

Just one week out of crucial talks with Brussels, China’s Commerce Minister video calls his German counterpart to discuss trade relations.

France

French far-right leader Bardella hits back at antisemitism allegations

Britain

Child, 2 women ‘crushed to death’ as 105 people on 1 boat try to reach UK

Sweden

Sweden’s Magdalena Andersson ends government-formation talks with no result

It means caretaker PM Ulf Kristersson may get another chance to form a coalition. He has promised to bring in the far-right.

Sweden’s Social Democratic leader and election winner Magdalena Andersson during a Monday press conference in which she said she has ended her attempt to form a new government. Photo: via AFP
France

Far-right makes major gains in French Senate as Le Pen eyes power

National Rally and allies form first-ever upper chamber group months before Emmanuel Macron steps down.

Britain

Britain’s Labour Party launches annual conference buoyed by Burnham

New British leader faces pressure to deliver concrete plans as party enters Liverpool gathering ahead in opinion polls.

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Switzerland

Swiss reject push to toughen neutrality amid debate over Russia

Initiative dubbed ‘pro-Russian’ by critics fails as voters back government’s flexible diplomatic approach.

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A pro-neutrality referendum poster featuring John Lennon. Photo: EPA
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why Xi’s US trip leaves Europe relieved by trade truce – but wary of the future

The summit in Washington eases near-term uncertainty over rare earths, but analysts fear the bloc could have less say over decisions shaping its economic interests.

The Philippines

After EU-Philippines trade breakthrough, is Asean-wide deal next?

A bloc-to-bloc free-trade agreement offers Asean real economic clout, but analysts warn there is still a ‘long way to go’.

China-Latin America relations

Exclusive | China-based Brics bank set for hunger alliance lead role this year, Brazil says

Brazilian minister Wellington Dias tells SCMP a fund to cut borrowing costs for the poor may launch by December as US marginalises the G20.

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Brazil’s Minister of Social Development, Wellington Dias (centre), speaks at the United Nations General Assembly's high-level plenary session on Social Business, Youth, and Technology on Wednesday. Photo: Handout
Ukraine war

EU to release US$7.5 billion linked to Ukraine military aid

Money related to Ukraine had stuck in the fund for ⁠months, blocked by the previous Hungarian government under Viktor Orban.

A Ukrainian artilleryman fires a self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops at a position on the front line in the Donetsk region on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Italy

Italy to ban burkas in schools, with 30% cap on pupils with poor Italian

The move comes ahead of Italy’s election next year, in which PM Meloni’s party faces pressure the even further right National Future party.

China-EU relations

China and EU deadlocked on medical devices, still talking on PHEV curbs: source

Sources on the Chinese side recently described the talks as difficult and expressed frustration over the EU’s inflexibility.

China trade

Chinese carmakers gain as high petrol prices boost European EV sales

Chinese brands’ share of plug-in hybrid registrations across Europe climbed from about 20 per cent in January to 35.3 per cent in August.

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A BYD electric car on display at Germany’s Essen Motor Show in December. Photo: AP
China trade

Opinion | China’s industrial strengths must also benefit its trading partners

By shifting towards domestic consumption and exporting industrial know-how, Beijing can give global partners a genuine stake in its growth.

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The workshop of a wind power equipment maker at the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park in Qinzhou city, Guangxi autonomous region, on September 4. China’s partners must distinguish between genuine imbalances and the productive advantages that offer opportunities for cooperation. Photo: Xinhua
Ukraine war

Croatia clears extradition of Nord Stream blast suspect to Germany

German prosecutors have accused Ukrainian scuba diver of planting explosives on Baltic pipelines in 2022.

Spain

Spain’s housing crisis in spotlight with eviction of pensioner, 87

Thousands have protested in outrage at the eviction and a market widely denounced as unaffordable for renters and buyers.

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US-China trade war

China is investing record amounts overseas. Why are US-bound flows plunging?

Chinese investment in the US has fallen to its lowest level since 2011 amid tighter scrutiny and trade tensions.

Chinese outbound direct investment was up 11.1 per cent in 2025 year on year, according to a new government report. Photo: Shutterstock
India

India backs new P4M forum, but can middle powers fix the UN?

Without early wins on climate or UN reform, analysts say the Partners for Multilateralism risks becoming a talking shop.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong rejects EU report’s claims on freedoms as ‘unfounded and biased’

Hong Kong government says the report misrepresents national security laws, ignores protections for rights and applies double standards.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong on way to securing green fuel supply to safeguard aviation hub status

Policy chief notes city to consider sustainable aviation fuel mandate, saying clear targets are needed to draw investment and build supply.

The city’s policy chief Stephen Wong says Hong Kong needs sustainable aviation fuel targets to attract investment, secure supplies and retain its aviation hub status. Photo: Elson Li
China-Germany relations

China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions before Xi-Trump summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations.

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Wang Yi calls on Berlin to “maintain a rational and pragmatic approach” and play a positive role within the EU in “promoting the upholding of free trade and rejecting protectionism”, according to the foreign ministry. Photo: Reuters
Science

China starts on the world’s first supercritical CO2 and molten salt energy plant

Ruitan demonstration project in Shandong aims to reduce energy waste and stabilise grid electricity supply.

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China-EU relations

A shift by China towards service-based economy may realign trade, EU group says

The nation has seen little progress towards addressing ‘involution’, with output still growing beyond absorption rate, says an EU trade group.

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Canada

Southeast Asia supports multilateralism, wary of US or China leadership: survey

A recent Rockefeller Foundation survey shows strong regional belief in global cooperation and a reluctance to accept superpower dominance.

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The ASEAN flag flies alongside the flags of member countries ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia in January 2025. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Open Questions | ‘Trade is never free’: former WTO chief Pascal Lamy on the EU’s China challenge

He says Chinese authorities’ lack of interest in addressing structural macroeconomic imbalance a ‘huge problem’ for European Union.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Germany

‘Disaster’: Germany’s embattled chancellor suffers bruising election defeats

Friedrich Merz is under pressure as the far-right AfD party wins another vote and his conservatives crash out of a state parliament.

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Greenland

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

British prime minister praises deal to bolster Arctic defence after Trump threatened to take island by force.

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