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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.
The issue of rare earths has helped to disrupt an apparent thaw in ties between the European Union and China. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Rare earths ‘THE thing’ for EU agenda planners ahead of China leaders’ summit

Chinese dominance of the global supply has leapfrogged into top place as the main issue in a troubled relationship.

China-EU relations

Rare earths, Taiwan discussed as Wang Yi meets EU envoys at Polish embassy

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Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s plug-in hybrid exports spike in wake of EU tariff exemption

China-EU relations

Exclusive | Blacklist to backchannels: inside the European Parliament’s unlikely China reset

Correspondence obtained by the Post reveals President Roberta Metsola’s efforts to normalise ties with Beijing in recent months.

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European Parliament members have for years engaged in running battles with Beijing. Photo: dpa
World Economic Forum

Li Qiang says China will be consumption power at ‘Summer Davos’: as it happened

Premier’s address to the meeting of developing economies came amid high tension and uncertainty in global trade.

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Donald Trump

Trump rattles Nato allies as he descends on summit

The US president refused to commit to the alliance’s mutual defence vow, as Washington warns it may shift focus to the threat from China.

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SCMP Highlights

Chinese airlines’ advantage, Chongqing as key trade hub: SCMP daily highlights

From a key benefit for China’s airlines to Chongqing’s bid to become a rail-based ‘Suez Canal’, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

The C919 Flight MU721 takes off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in east China’s Shanghai on January 1, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
World Economic Forum

China urged to step up fiscal support amid Iran-Israel war, trade war risks

Beijing may need to spend more to preserve growth and long-term stability, central bank adviser says.

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China-EU relations

China decries latest EU trade salvo putting medical devices in the line of fire

Brussels urged to ‘immediately correct its wrongdoings’, while Beijing says it will take measures to defend Chinese enterprises’ interests.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s BYD expands car-carrier fleet in bet on EV exports

Carmaker’s six vessels can carry 48,600 cars, and two more ships will add 16,200 to that total soon, company says.

BYD’s Changsha and Xi’an can each carry 9,200 vehicles. Photo: Weibo/白菜研究所Jarvis
China trade

Suez Canal on rails? How this Chinese city wants to revolutionise global trade

The metropolis is already a rail-powered gateway to foreign markets – now, it wants to go one step further.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
United States

Top US court takes case of Rastafarian whose hair was cut in prison

Damon Landor wants to sue officials at Louisiana Department of Corrections for violating religious rights by forcibly cutting dreadlocks.

China-EU relations

EU foreign policy chief calls for ‘dose of realism’ in China relations

Statement precedes planned meeting with Wang Yi in Beijing and Anhui.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine reveals details of alleged plot to assassinate Zelensky

Polish former soldier, recruited by Russian intelligence, was to kill Zelensky at an airport in Poland, according to Ukrainian intelligence.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky leaving 10 Downing Street in London on Monday. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

China’s shipments of hi-tech goods to EU surge as its exports to US plunge

Post’s analysis of Beijing’s trade data for May shows huge amounts of batteries, laptops, smartphones and solar panels going to the bloc.

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With many EU markets enduring falling exports to China, the cumulative impact was a 22 per cent increase in the union’s trade deficit with the world’s second-largest economy in May. Photo: Shutterstock
China-EU relations

Opinion | EU and China must abandon petty disputes to rise as global leaders

The coming EU-China summit must show that both sides are willing to genuinely cooperate on global challenges or it shouldn’t be held at all.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis can benefit from EU firms’ expertise: John Lee

City leader says Hong Kong and EU can collaborate on climate change solutions, a day after Xia Baolong called for expediting megaproject.

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Canada

Canada raises defence spending to hit Nato targets amid tariff row: Carney

The new spending comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to reach a deal with the White House to lower or remove tariffs on Canadian goods.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a news conference in the Foyer of the House of Commons in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Friday. Photo: dpa
Central Asia

Opinion | Why China’s Central Asian footprint is about to get bigger

Boosted by proximity and broad policy objectives, Beijing is slowly gaining the upper hand in the region over Moscow and the European Union.

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Catholic Church

Pope Leo warns against AI, ‘soulless machines’ in Vatican address

The pontiff warned politicians of the challenges posed by the rise of AI, addressing its potential impact on younger people as a prime concern.

China exports

How are Chinese brands boosting their prospects in Europe?

Increased visibility at sports events beloved by Europeans could help Chinese brands appear less threatening, researcher says.

People walk past a Xiaomi store in Beijing in September 2021. Photo: Simon Song
Israel-Iran conflict

Israel-Iran war: EU diplomatic push yields hope of more talks, no breakthrough

Western and Iranian officials held their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the conflict centred on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

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Protesters attend an anti-Israeli rally after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
China-EU relations

‘We’re not billiard balls’: how China’s EU charm offensive fell flat

A month out from their leaders’ summit, few are expecting any meaningful improvement in ties between Beijing and Brussels.

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SCMP Highlights

China-EU friction in spotlight, Beijing’s growing clout: SCMP daily highlights

From a new mainland China-Hong Kong payment scheme to Beijing’s influence in Central Asia, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

China trade

China’s magnet exports to US slammed in May as rare earth curbs hit: data

Wielding its biggest bargaining chip in trade dealings with Washington, Beijing applied pressure by imposing export controls on some critical minerals.

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Some rare-earth minerals from China are seen at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences on May 17. Photo: Getty Images
China-EU relations

Chinese and EU trade officials hold talks after von der Leyen outburst

The two sides discussed export controls, market access and Europe’s electric vehicle tariffs, as they strive to get trade talks back on track.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a hawkish critique of Beijing during the G7 summit in Canada on Monday. Photo: Reuters
China airliners

China’s aerospace drive, Summer Davos and more

This week: Comac sets goal for C929 plane, PBOC outlines steps to boost use of yuan, China woos Central Asia and President Xi calls for de-escalation in the Middle East. Next week: Summer Davos in Tianjin, Nato summit, Trump’s steel tariffs to hit Chinese appliances and more.

Israel-Iran conflict

Israel, Iran exchange fresh attacks in week-old air war amid new diplomatic push

Iran’s top diplomat heads for crucial talks with European counterparts as Trump delays decision on Iran strike.

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