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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 domestically developed C919 large passenger aircraft lands at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Mongolia. Photo: Xinhua
China’s C919 passenger plane

‘Very smooth’: what one traveller saw on C919’s milestone international flight

Comac jet’s flight to Mongolian capital on par with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, says passenger who hopes to see more C919 destinations.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmakers could capture 15% to 30% of European market by 2035: analysts

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Russia

Putin warns of retaliation over Western ‘piracy’ seizures of Russian ships

China trade

EU’s new packaging rules leave China’s traders feeling boxed in

As trade tensions rise, Brussels has implemented new rules aimed at reducing packaging waste, with the threat of fines and bans for non-compliance.

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Staff members sort express parcels at the China Post Zaozhuang branch in Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua
China’s anti-sanctions law

China’s top court highlights first Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law ruling in Shanghai

Supreme People’s Court says judgment was first to ‘explicitly establish the mandatory application’ of five-year-old law.

Hungary

Hungary parliament approves Orban-critic judge as president

Former supreme court chief Andras Baka had been fired during ex-leader Orban’s time in power.

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China-EU relations

China pitches AI models to Europe. Is it enough to avoid 2-horse race with US?

The two big tech powers are well ahead of the competition. The question now is whether a third big player can emerge.

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China is seeking closer cooperation with European countries on AI. Photo: Xinhua
Electric & new energy vehicles

Driven off the road: Nio’s German car registrations down 90%

In contrast to its Chinese peers, Nio is struggling in Europe’s largest car market, registering just three cars last month and 18 this year.

China manufacturing

Scholar rebuts claims state subsidies caused China’s industrial overcapacity

In People’s Daily commentary piece, Cui Fan says ‘reasonable industrial subsidies … are a globally recognised and legitimate policy tool’.

IPO

Shein set for Hong Kong IPO next week, eyes US$35b valuation: sources

Singapore-based company, which was founded in China, aims to raise as much as US$2.8 billion and began gauging investor demand last week.

Packs of clothing for Shein are displayed at a garment factory in Guangzhou, in southern China’s Guangdong province, on July 2. Photo: Reuters
Climate change

Drought declared in ‘almost three-quarters’ of England, government says

England and Wales both experienced the driest July on record, the UK’s Met Office said, with a fifth heatwave forecast for the week ahead.

People sit on a bench in dry grass at Hampstead Heath in London, Britain, on Sunday. Photo: EPA
China-EU relations

Can Europe stay united in China trade battle? Ceuta crisis offers a warning

The recent row over migration and Spain’s border policy suggests it may be hard for the bloc to stand together under pressure from Beijing.

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Spain

Spain to start Italy border controls amid Ceuta migrant row

Italy had rejected Spain’s ultimatum to lift checks imposed in response to the migration crisis. Now Spain has announced its own checks.

Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky makes first visit to Russia-friendly Serbia

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic is seeking to balance relations with Moscow against EU pressure, as his country hopes to join the bloc.

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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (R) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Belgrade, Serbia, on Saturday. Photo: EPA
US-China relations

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Artificial intelligence

Europe hails AI gigafactory plan, but industry fears deeper US tech reliance

Brussels’ €30b tender for up to 7 AI hubs already benefits US chipmakers and could result in EU-funded computing capacity being sold to US tech giants.

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China exports

Beyond compliance: zero-carbon estates give China’s battery makers a global edge

With the EU’s binding carbon cap taking effect as early as 2028, the route to compliance for Chinese firms could offer a long-term advantage.

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China trade

July trade robust, fresh Chinese sanctions, Unitree IPO opens

This week: July trade growth moderates, Beijing retaliates against US sanctions and services activity growth slips. Next week: Subscriptions start for Unitree IPO, Tencent and Chinese chipmakers report interim earnings, July factory gate prices and more.

Air conditioners for export to Europe at a warehouse in Jiaozhou, Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua
Britain

UK clears Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros

The UK government and the antitrust watchdog both cleared the deal after initially raising concerns over media plurality and competition.

China economy

Editorial | China’s moves to fuel growth driven by consumption are strategic

Government subsidies for consumer goods can only go so far. Beijing’s first five-year plan to lift household consumption is part of an essential pivot.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong urged to be ‘super partner’ in businesses’ overseas expansion push

Chinese General Chamber of Commerce chief Jonathan Choi says city should invest and operate abroad, while urging annual review of first five-year plan.

The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce has urged Hong Kong to invest and operate overseas, not just connect businesses, as well as include an annual review of its first five-year plan to keep development on track. Photo: Jelly Tse
China-Latin America relations

Bachelet-led panel urges Latin America not to choose sides in US-China rivalry

ECLAC commission says the region should leverage critical minerals but recognises limits imposed by US security dominance.

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From left, former Colombian president Ivan Duque, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and ECLAC executive secretary Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs present the commission’s report in Santiago. Photo: ECLAC
Spain

Deadly migrant rush to Spain’s Ceuta was sparked by runaway online rumours

Convinced by social media that Europe was within reach, some 72,000 people surged across the border from Morocco.

Israel

US-Saudi nuclear doubt, Boko Haram’s AI terrorism: 7 global relations reads

From US arms promises to EU sanctions and USMCA troubles, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in July 2026.

US-EU relations

Is tech the core arena for EU and US disputes? One Chinese prediction says so

Washington’s fury over a US$1 billion fine for Google was cited as the latest sign of a ‘profound shift’ in the nature of the relationship.

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The US accused Brussels of “plundering” US firms after Google was fined €890 million (US$1 billion) for breaching competition law. Photo: TNS
Artificial intelligence

China’s MiniMax curbs overseas use of new AI video model amid copyright disputes

H3 model enters the generative video battleground, but licensing carve-outs restrict use in US, EU, UK and South Korea.

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MiniMax says it will review deployment scenarios and compliance controls before it can authorise use of the H3 model in some major markets. Photo: Shutterstock
Donald Trump

Democratic-led US states sue Trump over latest round of global tariffs

Coalition of 25 states claims president exceeded legal authority in imposing duties on 60 trading partners.

Spain

Spain denies intelligence warnings before Ceuta migrant crisis

Madrid rejects claims of ignored reports after tens of thousands surged into Spanish exclave in Africa.

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