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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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on board a missile cruiser in Russia’s Sakhalin region on Wednesday. Photo: Sputnik/Reuters
Russia

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

Russia is believed to be using a fleet of hundreds of ships to evade international sanctions imposed after it invaded Ukraine in 2022.

China trade

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

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China’s anti-sanctions law

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

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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Hungary’s newly elected President Andras Baka delivers a speech after taking his oath of office at the parliament in Budapest, Hungary on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
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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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.

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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’.

Chinese-made MG cars await loading for export at Lianyungang Port, Jiangsu province, on August 4. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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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Some EU members were swift to blame Spain after thousands crossed the border in Ceuta. Photo: AFP
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.

An information panel displays flight details on Saturday at Adolfo Suarez Madrid–Barajas Airport, as Spain’s government said it would establish border controls for flights and ships from Italy. Photo: Reuters
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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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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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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Industry insiders have welcomed the EU’s €30 billion AI gigafactory plan, but there is nothing to stop computing capacity from being sold to US tech giants. Photo: Reuters
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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A lithium battery production line at a factory in Huaibei, in eastern China’s Anhui province. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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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.

People visit a shop on a busy street in Beijing on May 7, 2025. Photo: AFP
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.

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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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.

People gather along the fence at the site of clashes near Fnideq, on the Morocco-Spain border, on Friday. Photo: AFP
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.

Boko Haram has been found to use both Chinese and American AIs in their terrroism plots – possibly with advice from Islamic State. Photo: Shutterstock
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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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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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.

An American flag hangs from a crane at Port Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey. US President Donald Trump slapped sweeping new tariffs on dozens of trading partners. Photo: AFP
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.

A migrant runs from Spanish police as they cordon off access to the beach for people crossing from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Friday. Photo: AP
Britain

France condemns Farage-led plan to deploy British navy against Channel migrants

Paris warns pushback operation would breach international law as hard-right party vows to return small boats.

Technology

Opinion | Can we govern AI in a fragmented world before it’s too late?

While the US, EU and China offer different approaches, all recognise that AI is too powerful and pervasive to be treated as ordinary tech.

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