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

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European Union

France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

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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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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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.

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-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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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.

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.

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.

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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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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
G7

Cigarettes, football and Greenland: G7 hot mics reveal world leaders’ banter

Unfiltered audio captures off-the-cuff conversations at the G7 summit in France.

US President Donald Trump stands among fellow world leaders as they gather for a family photo at the G7 summit. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Zelensky proposes meeting Putin in US after Russian leader ‘ignores’ G7 invite

Ukrainian leader said he made the proposal in a call with Trump, suggesting Putin would find the offer of a US meeting ‘harder to refuse’.

China-EU relations

Have trade tensions scuppered EU-China talks ahead of tough Brussels decisions?

June 23 meeting in Beijing postponed without warning as bilateral ties deteriorate on a near-daily basis.

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China-EU relations

China debate reaches fever pitch in Brussels as EU’s crunch fortnight kicks off

Ahead of next week’s leaders’ summit, some are pushing for the bloc to end its ‘naivety’ and forcefully counter cheap imports.

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There is consensus in Brussels that nothing will meaningfully change in the EU’s China policy until Germany is onside. Photo: EPA
Ukraine war

European powers back Zelensky’s call for summit with Putin

UK, France and Germany endorse face-to-face ceasefire talks, but the Kremlin has so far ruled out a meeting.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, May 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing in search of trade deals, investments and greater market access in China.

China-EU relations

China overtakes US to become top foreign investor in Germany

Deteriorating transatlantic relationship and high energy and labour costs are making American firms think twice before moving into German market.

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