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European Council

The European Council: A prominent Brussels-based supranational intergovernmental body, the European Council defines the European Union’s overall political direction and priorities. Comprising EU heads of state or government, its President, and the European Commission President, it represents the highest level of political cooperation. Its main activities include setting the EU’s political agenda, addressing complex issues, and shaping common foreign and security policy. Recognised as a strategic, crisis-solving institution, it provides crucial impetus for European integration and appoints key EU officials.

European Council

Europe considers new quotas and tariffs to stem Chinese imports

EU trade chief says bloc may turn to safeguards to curb surges in imports and names plastics as a sector where investigations are advanced.

Could Europe’s cost-of-living protests sharpen EU-China trade tensions?

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | EU mulls sanctions reprieve for Chinese fabric-maker accused of aiding Russia

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Europe still has no clear goal on China

A Europe that gives China its price list and the US its autonomy can only buy small concessions, leaving its ‘kill switch’ unused.

Who blinked first? Fragile EU-China trade peace sparks new war of words

As European officials flag more trade restrictions, Beijing bristles at the idea it can be pushed into yielding to Brussels’ demands.

Germany wants to avoid China trade war despite EU ‘kill switch’: Merz

German chancellor says Beijing must address bloc’s concerns over subsidies and overcapacity, as Brussels prepares new trade powers.

EU unveils Arctic strategy to counter increasing Russia, China influence

The European bloc is stepping up some of its efforts in the resource-rich region, but says it still wants fossil fuels to stay in the ground.

Video | A ‘kill switch’ for Chinese companies?

Emboldened by a recent hybrid car deal, Brussels is accelerating a crackdown on Chinese trade practices with a new tool that threatens to lock Chinese firms out of the European market overnight.

Albanian PM rejects resignation calls as violent protests enter sixth day

More than 270 injured in Tirana clashes as demonstrators attack police stations and ministries over tuition fees, living costs and corruption.

Germany, France harden ‘Made in Europe’ stance, pressuring China’s auto sector

To qualify for public subsidies, a new proposal from Paris and Berlin says foreign automakers must shift manufacturing and R&D to the EU.

China warns EU not to ‘fantasise’ on trade approach after ‘kill switch’ threat

Latest flare-up suggests danger of trade war between two of the world’s three biggest economies has far from de-escalated.

EU backs trade ‘kill switch’, China exports surge, third-quarter GDP

Exclusive | EU open to creating ‘kill switch’ weapon to kick Chinese firms out of market

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also floats safeguards as member states back two-track strategy to tackle China shock.

Emboldened by hybrid car deal, Europe coalesces around tougher China stance

Brussels is revving the engines and ready to accelerate a crackdown on Chinese trade practices after Beijing responds to its threats.

EU leaders to ‘urgently’ call for new trade weapons to tackle China shock

Brussels plans new measures to confront trade imbalances even after a surprise deal with Beijing to limit Chinese hybrid car imports.

Ukraine clears key hurdle in EU membership bid

Parliament approves minority rights law, prompting the bloc to open new negotiation clusters.

China-EU car deal eases trade tensions for now at least

A deal to slow China’s hybrid car exports to the European Union has pared one source of trade tensions between the two sides.

EU removes Panama from tax haven blacklist

Panama had made progress on sharing tax information and reformed a ‘harmful’ regime of exemptions for foreign-source income.

As China and the EU begin crunch trade talks, optimism is in short supply

Observers on both sides are braced for more turbulence – and mainly hope Beijing and Brussels can avoid a full-blown trade conflict.

Last chance saloon: EU presses China for a sign to prove trade talks can work

Brussels hopes Chinese commerce ministry will agree to modest ‘proof-of-concept’ arrangement at top-level meetings in Beijing.

Germany joins France in call for China trade defences

The leaders of the EU’s two largest economies jointly support new trade defences as risks of China trade war grow.

France, Germany seek new EU weapon to instantly cut off market access for China

Strategy laid out in joint paper and letter to EU chief signed by the leaders of the two largest members of the bloc and seen by the SCMP.

Empty classrooms on remote Greek island signal crisis across Europe

Falling enrolment across Greece this year prompted authorities to close 75 schools.

EU to hold emergency talks on soaring diesel as US piles on pressure

Washington demands allies tap reserves as high energy costs threaten Republicans in the coming midterms.

Ties between Beijing and Brussels on the brink ahead of make-or-break October

The mood in Brussels is hardening and Europe’s actions in coming weeks could set the course of EU-China relations for years to come.

India-Europe trade corridor gets Trump’s backing, but can it survive war?

Pitched as a rival to China’s Belt and Road, IMEC must bypass vulnerable Gulf chokepoints if it is ever to become operational, analysts say.

Beijing, Berlin hold video call amid reported plan to shut China out of EU

Days before crucial talks with Brussels, China’s Commerce Minister video calls his German counterpart to discuss trade relations.

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’.

Exclusive | EU mulls sanctions reprieve for Chinese fabric-maker accused of aiding Russia

Opinion | Europe still has no clear goal on China