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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.
German companies are backing tougher EU action on China as manufacturers such as Volkswagen restructure under intensifying competition from Chinese rivals. Photo: Reuters
China trade

German companies want tougher EU-China policy despite supply chain reliance

The DIHK finds German firms facing Chinese competition back stronger EU action, but its trade chief warns against ‘blanket measures’.

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China-EU relations

EU trade enforcers descend on Beijing demanding China fix ‘untenable’ imbalances

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Ukraine war

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

India

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

The deal is expected to give India critical design and engineering know-how to help build a long-term domestic submarine industrial base.

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A submarine is docked in a shipyard of warship maker TKMS in Kiel, Germany, in April. Photo: Reuters
Germany

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

‘These jobs must be done and anyone that can’t take the pressure doesn’t belong in this job,’ Rheinmetall’s Armin Papperger says.

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.

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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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Germany is China’s biggest trade and investment partner in Europe. Photo: EPA
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.

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.

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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A “closed again” sign is seen in a German shop window. Photo: Shutterstock
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’.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has congratulated Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Photo: Reuters
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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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.

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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The EU recently imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese tyres. Photo: Xinhua
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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A revolver given to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, with the president’s name engraved on it, is displayed during a press presentation in Vilnius, Lithuania. Photo: Office of the Lithuanian President via AFP
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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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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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.

Demonstrators hold a banner reading “Solidarity is always important” as they gather in front of the main station ahead of the AfD federal party congress in Erfurt, Germany, on Saturday. Photo: EPA
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.

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.

German Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union Friedrich Merz attends a news conference with other coalition leaders following a meeting in Berlin on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
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’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, left, and EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic, who held talks in Brussels as Beijing and the bloc sought to ease escalating trade tensions. Photos: AFP
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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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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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.

An Airbus A330 aircraft operated by China Eastern Airlines is seen on final approach into London. Photo: Getty Images
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.

The hall in which the Ukraine Recovery Conference is held in Gdansk, Poland. The event is both a fundraising forum and a message to Russia that Ukraine’s Western supporters are in it for a long haul. Photo: AFP
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.

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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