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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.
An employee walks past an ASML logo, the Dutch semiconductor equipment giant, at the company’s headquarters in Veldhoven on April 17, 2018. Photo: AFP
US-China trade war

Exclusive | Dutch semiconductor giants join delegation to China as US pushes curbs: source

The Netherlands has protested Washington’s proposed Match Act, which would further curtail its semiconductor firms’ business in China.

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China-EU relations

Opinion | EU and China need a grand bargain to avoid a trade war

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Extreme weather

‘Health impacts likely’ as Europe bakes in early heatwave

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Taiwan

Does Lithuania’s Taiwan pause signal a wider European shift towards pragmatism?

Analysts say economic pressures could force the Baltic nation to recalibrate relations with Beijing.

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Lithuania’s prime minister-designate Mindaugas Sinkevicius (centre) has publicly advocated restoring relations with Beijing to a level comparable to those maintained by other European Union countries. Photo: Handout
Artificial intelligence

Milestones for China’s medical AI as robot wins EU nod and model tops benchmark

Medbot’s teleoperated robot gains EU clearance as Baichuan-M4 clinical AI outshines global rivals in OpenAI’s HealthBench.

China-EU relations

Opinion | Europe was happy with the trade rules – until China’s industrial rise

Beijing should not be accused of trade unfairness simply because Chinese companies have become efficient, innovative and globally competitive.

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Fifa World Cup 2026

12 of the World Cup 2026’s oldest players, from Ronaldo to Messi

Should Ronaldo still be playing? Is this Messi’s last World Cup? But neither are the oldest this tournament – Scotland’s Craig Gordon is 43.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the oldest players this World Cup. Photos: @cristiano, @leomessi/Instagram
Hong Kong economy

EU and Hong Kong in talks on new financial services dialogue, envoy says

Ambassador Harvey Rouse highlights scope for cooperation on green finance, innovation as European firms explore opportunities in Northern Metropolis.

Britain

‘Sort of a friend’: Trump takes parting shot at UK’s Starmer

US leader offers his thoughts after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resignation.

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Extreme weather

Heatwave hits Europe: 40 drown in France trying to cool down in ‘climate chaos’

Europe swelters through record-high temperatures with governments having to take measures to try to reduce the impact.

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The temperature in Rennes, western France, on Monday. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

China rejects trade criticism after Merz backs global yuan action

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang defended China’s exports after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a Plaza Accord-style intervention to strengthen the yuan.

Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang. Photo: Reuters
Renewable energy

Why a Chinese renewables giant is pondering a majority localisation in Europe

Europe has prohibited Chinese renewable power inverters from being used in EU-funded projects, citing cybersecurity and dependency risks.

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My Take

My Take | The end of history has come and gone for Europe

EU bureaucrats thought they had left power politics behind. Now it is coming back to bite them.

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Donald Trump

Trump escalates clash with Italy’s Meloni over G7 photo claim

The clash has opened an unusually personal rift between Trump and one of Europe’s most prominent right-wing leaders.

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US President Donald Trump speaks with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G7 summit in Evian, eastern France, on Tuesday. Photo: TNS
Rare earths

China resumes gallium exports to Japan after 4-month suspension

The resumption of exports is expected to be tied to civilian demand, as the metal is a key material in chips, fibre optics and EV chargers.

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A block with the symbol, atomic number and mass number of gallium is seen in this illustration taken February 6, 2026. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Germany backs EU’s tough China line with call for ‘Plaza Accord’ talks on yuan

European Commission on a mission to craft tools to tackle what the bloc sees as China’s industrial excesses.

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European Council

Video | European Union and China in for period of tension

Leaders from the 27 European Union member states have met in Brussels to counter Beijing’s growing economic influence.

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China trade

G7 rare earths, US-Iran peace deal, Summer Davos

This week: The G7 moved to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earths, while the EU discussed trade defences, the US and Iran signed a peace deal that reopened the Strait of Hormuz, and China’s retail sales fell for the first time since 2022. Next week: Summer Davos takes place in Dalian, China’s legislators meet, Chinese hit indie movie Dear You opens in the US, and more.

World leaders at the G7 summit in Evian, France. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

EU leaders ask Brussels to come up with new trade weapons to counter China shock

Late-night meeting ends with instruction to officials to engage with Beijing while preparing tools to defend Europe’s economy.

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Trade

Letters | 20th century measures won’t address 21st century trade insecurities

Readers discuss why US tariffs are an outdated practice, how India should treat its neighbours with diverging interests, and Japan’s energy tightrope with the Kremlin.

US-ally trade wars

Opinion | Many countries are ‘quiet quitting’ the US and China on trade

While the US and Chinese markets are essential, other countries are making deals with each other in search of more diversified trade.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s foreign minister cuts ties with top EU diplomat over ‘apartheid’ remark

Saar accused Kallas of ‘acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness’ by reportedly comparing Israel to South Africa’s apartheid regime.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas delivers a statement at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
China's economic recovery

Mainland China climbs 4 spots in global competitiveness ranking

China ranked 12th on the list, despite a decline in economic performance, weak domestic demand and concern over foreign market access.

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China-EU relations

EU nations ready to battle ‘China Shock 2.0’ with tough new strategy

Broad coalition of EU members support new trade strategy to prevent China causing European deindustrialisation as key Brussels summit looms.

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US-China relations

Opinion | The West must reckon with the reality of China’s rise

Beijing’s emergence as a major power must be navigated with wisdom and respect, rather than framed as a threat that needs to be contained.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China trade

Exclusive | ‘We cannot rely entirely on America’: Europe urged to deepen China ties on AI

Euro architect Christian Noyer says Chinese capital can help Europe build AI, green industries and strategic autonomy as it revamps markets.

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The US may at any time complicate Europe’s access to certain technologies, according to Christian Noyer. Photo: Shutterstock
China trade

Navigating the China-EU trade divide

As trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels continue to rise, China’s firms in the European Union have been forced to walk a delicate tightrope: expanding their presence in the lucrative market while grappling with heightened regulatory hurdles and rapid geopolitical shifts. In this three-part series, we examine the friction points pushing the two economic powerhouses towards a critical crossroads.

China-Latin America relations

Latin America and Europe are bystanders in the US-China AI race: Lula adviser

Brazil’s Celso Amorim tells a Rio conference the Global South must answer via Brics, casting rare earths and data as matters of sovereignty.

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