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Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz
Friedrich Merz was elected German chancellor in May 2025, becoming the country’s 10th chancellor since World War II.
President Volodymyr Zelensky hands over the flag of a military unit during the ceremony to mark Ukraine Independence Day in Kyiv on Monday. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

Zelensky says Ukraine wants peace but won’t ‘simply surrender’

The country marks 35 years of independence from the Soviet Union as Zelensky vows to find a solution to Putin’s ‘ballistic terror’.

India

How a German submarine deal could test ‘Make in India’ ambitions

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Germany

German arms giant boss says no ‘chickening out’ amid alleged Russian threats

Germany

Bus driver kicked explosive drone out of the air at German airport

His act potentially prevented an attack at an airport that served as a major Nato hub.

Police officers walk across a field on the grounds of Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany on Friday. Photo: dpa
China-EU relations

Germans emerge as Europe’s biggest China hawks as economic pain begins to bite

Some 49 per cent of those polled see China as a rival or adversary while just 38 per cent see the nation in positive terms, new survey finds.

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China-EU relations

What would a German audit for Chinese supply chain dependencies find?

Although many analysts deem the search long overdue, they warn that German leverage would be both hard to implement and short-lived.

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Spain

France, Italy tighten borders after 60,000 migrants enter Spain’s Ceuta

France is increasing its border police presence fivefold while Italy has suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain.

Migrants wade through the water near the border with Morocco as they attempt to enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta on Friday. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Germany’s restful Sundays under scrutiny as Chinese imports pile on pressure

As rise of Chinese e-commerce platforms adds to pressure, having Sundays off remains protected under Germany’s Basic Law.

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Britain

China’s Li congratulates Andy Burnham on becoming Britain’s new prime minister

Li said strengthening dialogue and cooperation between ⁠China and the UK will benefit ‌the nations and ‘inject stability into global ‌peace’.

China-EU relations

France, Germany put up united front against China’s economic ‘challenges’

Both nations call on Brussels to strengthen its defences as EU adds US$1.14 billion a day to its China trade shortfall, while losing jobs.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive for a press conference at Schloss Augustusburg in Bruehl, Germany on July 17. Photo: Reuters
European Union

France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

France is the only nuclear power in the 27-member EU, while Germany plans to build Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron after the 26th Franco-German Ministerial Council at Augustusburg Palace in Bruehl, Germany, on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
China-EU relations

EU signals emergency import curbs after dramatic growth in Chinese trade gap

Brussels looking at ‘case-by-case’ tariffs and quotas after the trade surplus expands by almost a quarter in the first half of the year.

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Nato

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

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US-EU relations

US at 250: has Europe learned to survive Trump’s America?

The transatlantic alliance has become unpredictable and even hostile, and many are wondering how much road it has left to run.

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Donald Trump has intensified his push to take over the Danish territory of Greenland. Photo: Xinhua
Germany

Germany govt may withhold info from states if far-right win, for security

State govt powers include intelligence services activities. The far-right – with ties to Moscow – in Saxony-Anhalt could soon win a majority.

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Delegates hold up ‘No’ voting cards on Sunday, the second day of the party congress of far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Photo: AFP
Germany

‘We won’t tolerate this’: thousands in Germany protest against far-right AfD

The party’s annual conference comes ahead of state elections the AfD hopes will help pave the ⁠way for success at national ⁠level.

Germany

Merz hits back at Trump for ridiculing Germany’s defence spending drive

The German chancellor defended Berlin’s increased military spending and highlighted his commitment to Nato targets.

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China-EU relations

China-EU progress, Xi touts ‘global influence’, Nato summit

This week: China signals openness to cutting EU trade gap, President Xi hails Communist Party’s ‘significant global influence’ and factory activity returns to expansion. Next week: Nato summit takes place in Turkey, US moves towards new tariffs, Kung Fu Soccer may hit the screens, and more.

Photo: CN-STR/AFP
China-EU relations

German government pledges to defend trade, signalling tougher China stance

Country’s ruling coalition agrees on 34-point package to revive ailing German economy as Chinese imports surge.

China-EU relations

Exclusive | China signals openness to cut gaping EU trade gap as Brussels toughens stance

Beijing floats buying more European goods as the EU weighs new trade tools and presses for tangible progress by October.

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China-EU relations

EU confronts ‘China shock’ ahead of pivotal Brussels trade talks

There is a growing sense Europe will have to learn to ‘live with’ Beijing’s economic model, which it accuses of undercutting its industries.

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Volkswagen is reportedly considering cutting 100,000 jobs in the face of fierce competition from China. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

As I see it | Europe wants a new Plaza Accord for China – seriously?

Instead of hoping for Beijing to commit economic suicide, it would be more realistic for the EU to strike a mutually acceptable trade deal.

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European Council President Antonio Costa (second left) walks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz amid discussions on the EU budget for 2028, in Brussels, Belgium, on June 19. Photo: dpa
China airliners

China Eastern buys 25 A330neo widebody jets as interest rises in Airbus’ wings

Multibillion-dollar deal marks first Chinese widebody win for the planemaker since 2025, following high-level visits from Paris and Berlin.

European Union

EU releases €3 billion loan for Ukraine’s recovery

The EU has provided €200 billion in support to Ukraine so far, and approved €90 billion more over the next two years.

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
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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Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (left) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attend a European Council summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday. Photo: EPA
China-EU relations

EU hits ‘make-or-break moment’ as divided leaders confront ‘China shock 2.0’

EU member states poised to confront internal divisions and launch aggressive trade defences against systemic threat posed by Beijing.

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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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