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European Union

European Union
European Union
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on the European Union, covering Brexit, the euro and the trading bloc's relationship with China and the United States.
last updated:
28 August, 2024
A Pakistani soldier salutes while standing on an air defence missile system during Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad in 2022. Photo: Reuters
Pakistan

Pakistan stunned by US fears over its missiles, assesses impact on South Asia

Washington’s assessment comes as Pakistan aims to balance its relations with the US and China amid fears of collateral damage.

Hong Kong politics

Beijing lashes out at Western criticism of Hong Kong bounties on 6 activists

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International Property

Chinese firms seek European base for factories amid trade tensions, tariffs

China-EU relations

How friendly will Europe’s right wing be to Trump on China? It’s complicated

Leaders like Viktor Orban of Hungary and Giorgia Meloni of Italy embrace US president-elect but may not hold with his entire agenda.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Electric & new energy vehicles

China will retain car-export crown in 2025, but growth may slow on EU EV tariffs

China’s top auto firms are likely to diversify by introducing petrol cars and hybrid models to blunt the impact of trade barriers.

TikTok

Albania PM says TikTok ban was not a ‘rushed reaction to a single incident’

Albania’s prime minister defends TikTok ban, citing careful consideration and concern for youth safety.

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Vladimir Putin

Putin meets Slovakia’s Fico, in rare visit to Russia by an EU leader

The leaders discussed the future of Russian natural gas deliveries, and the conflict in Ukraine.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Sputnik via AP
Middle East

Qatar vows to stop EU gas sales if fined under due diligence law: media report

Companies operating in the EU face fines of up to five per cent of global turnover if found in violation of the new law.

Macau

Editorial | Xi tells Macau it shares national development responsibility with HK

Stability and prosperity stressed as former Portuguese city marks 25th anniversary of return to China and inaugurates new leader.

Italy

Italian deputy PM Salvini acquitted of migrant kidnapping charges

The right-wing leader had blocked a boat carrying over 100 asylum seekers from docking as part of a policy to curb irregular arrivals.

Italy’s deputy PM Matteo Salvini talks to the press as he arrives at the Bunker Courtroom in Palermo, Sicily, on Friday. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong politics

Xi’s speech tasks Macau and Hong Kong with ‘one country, two systems’ mission

Both cities should take greater advantage of governing principle and convince world of its global appeal, president says at leader’s inauguration.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front right), Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai (front left) and first lady Peng Liyuan (back right) at the inauguration ceremony in Macau. Photo: Eugene Lee
Middle East

8 dead off Greek island of Rhodes as speedboat carrying migrants capsizes

The boat was carrying out ‘dangerous manoeuvres’ to try to evade a patrol vessel, the coastguard said.

United States

Elon Musk gives nod to German far-right party as election looms

The billionaire says the AfD party ‘can save Germany’. He has already expressed support for other anti-immigration parties across Europe.

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China-EU relations

EU finds pursuit of unity hampered by war, trade threats and Trump factor

‘Everyone talks about unity, but actually everybody is out to get the best deal for themselves and to avoid the absolute worst’: diplomat.

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European leaders met to discuss strengthening regional cooperation and partnerships at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Brussels on December 18 . Photo: EPA-EFE
Tourism

The hottest travel destinations for your holidays in 2025

From Greenland’s northern lights and Chiang Mai’s food festival, to the Kumbh Mela in India, 2025 promises a diverse range of travel experiences.

During the traditional festival of Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai, Thai people release sky floating lanterns or lamp to worship Buddha’s relics with reflection. Photo: Getty Images
Ukraine war

Nato chief wants Ukraine in position of strength for any talks with Russia

Ukraine leader Zelensky is in Brussels to meet European leaders to shore up support for the war against Putin’s forces.

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France

Ex-French leader Sarkozy to wear electronic tag after graft conviction upheld

Sarkozy’s lawyer said the former president would appeal to the European Court for Human Rights to challenge the ruling.

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China's economic recovery

CEO sentiment in China sours amid slowdown risks, survey finds

Local competition and geopolitical tensions add to short-term pressures, but views of CEOs were more positive when pointing to China’s long-term outlook.

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Cars wait to be loaded onto ships for export at a port in China’s Jiangsu province on Thursday. EV tariff talks between China and the EU are “not close” to yielding a deal. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

EU leaders avoid direct accusation over Chinese role in Russia’s war in Ukraine

A draft statement suggests leaders from the bloc’s 27 members will not accuse Beijing of crossing a major red line.

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China-EU relations

China, EU ‘very aware of what’s at stake’ in trade talks: Spanish envoy

Spain’s ambassador to Beijing Marta Betanzos tells audience at Renmin University that both sides will benefit from improved trading ties.

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Cybersecurity

Ireland fines Facebook owner Meta €251 million for data breach

The tech giant infringed EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, according to the country’s data watchdog.

Meta Platforms’ Irish arm has been fined by the country’s data watchdog. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

TikTok investigated for suspected election interference in Romania

Allegations include ‘recommender systems’ being open to manipulation and influencers not making clear they were paid to promote candidate.

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The European Commission is looking at TikTok’s policies on political advertising and paid-for content as part of its investigation related to the Romanian election. Photo: Reuters
Germany

Germany heads for early elections after Scholz loses confidence vote

Olaf Scholz remains interim chancellor as Europe’s biggest economy on the path to elections on February 23.

China-EU relations

Chinese names added to EU sanctions list over Russia’s war in Ukraine

For the first time, seven individuals and entities have been added to the bloc’s ‘fully fledged listings’ over support for Moscow’s war effort.

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Ukraine war

Nato chief to hold Ukraine talks with Zelensky, European leaders

Kyiv’s backers hope to strengthen its hand before Donald Trump takes power in the United States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lays flowers at the site of a fatal missile strike in the city of Zaporizhzhia. Photo: via AFP
Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Plasticisers in nearly half of desk mats sold in Hong Kong exceed EU standards

Seven out of 15 products tested by Consumer Council contain ‘reproductive toxicants’ at levels that could harm users’ endocrine system.

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has found that one tested writing mat contained plasticisers over 220 times the EU limit. Photo: Elson Li
Israel-Gaza war

Israel to close embassy in Ireland over Gaza tensions as war death toll mounts

Israel cites Dublin’s ‘extreme anti-Israeli policies’, further straining tense relations between the two nations.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Can Chinese electric trucks overcome global tariffs to dominate the market?

Fleets of electric trucks from China have been growing internationally even as Western countries target the country’s EVs with sanctions.

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