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Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen is a prominent German politician currently serving as President of the European Commission, a role she has held since 2019. She was re-elected for a second term in July 2024. Prior to this influential European position, she had a distinguished career in German federal politics, notably as Minister for Family Affairs and Youth (2005-2009), Minister for Labour and Social Affairs (2009-2013) and the first female Minister for Defence (2013-2019). A medical doctor by training, her leadership at the Commission has focused on initiatives like the European Green Deal and coordinating the EU’s response to global challenges.

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.

1 Aug 2026 - 11:54AM

The Philippines

EU’s US$17 million maritime aid for Manila targets ‘fault lines’

29 Jul 2026 - 3:58PMvideocam

Ursula von der Leyen

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.

EU’s US$17 million maritime aid for Manila targets ‘fault lines’

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Europe wants to confront China – but without the consequences

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’.

EU accuses China of seeking to reshape global order in stark new strategy paper

China trying to ‘reshape the global order in line with their interests’, EU says in some of bloc’s strongest official criticism of Beijing.

EU demands ‘youth mode’ to protect children from addictive social media features

The addictive features include infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalised recommender systems.

EU eyes social media curbs for children

Australia, Britain, China, India and the United States have already imposed a social media ban or are ‌considering ‌one.

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.

How the rush for Chinese air conditioners exposes gap in EU trade policy

As a record heatwave drives Europeans to snap up imported cooling units, Brussels’ rhetoric clashes with consumer reality.

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.

EU sets China October deadline for ‘tangible results’ after key trade talks

Marathon session in Brussels sees Beijing agreeing to establish a ‘joint monitoring mechanism of trade flows’ to help ease economic tensions.

Opinion | China isn’t Europe’s real problem

Europe’s future depends less on finding new ways to constrain China than on fixing the limitations Chinese competition has exposed.

Trump threatens 100% tariff on countries that impose digital services tax

The US president singled out European nations in a push against foreign efforts to tax or regulate American tech giants.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

EU bows to Trump pressure on tariffs but warns of future chaos

Trump has threatened ‘much higher’ levies if the EU does not remove import duties on US industrial goods by July 4.

Trump urges Russia to make deal with Ukraine after meeting Zelensky at G7

US president says ‘gonna do whatever I can’ as Europe presses Trump for more support.

EU says China trained Russian troops as bloc weighs tougher stance on Beijing

Kallas cites verified reports of Chinese training for Russian forces as Brussels weighs sanctions and new trade measures.

EU needs a ‘dedicated instrument’ to unwind China dependencies, trade chief says

The bloc may force companies to diversify their suppliers, after Beijing’s use of export controls put pressure on EU industry.

EU, China hold talks as trade war looms

China trade envoy Li Chenggang is to meet EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic to set up a platform for discussing trade and investment as Europe considers a tougher approach to stem a flood of low-cost Chinese imports.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | EU and China set for Paris talks this week as trade war fears mount

Bloc puts ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach to test in high-stakes meeting with Beijing’s international trade envoy on sidelines of OECD meeting.

As EU mulls trade tools, China vows to take steps against any new restrictions

While warning of retaliation against ‘new trade instruments’, Beijing says China-EU communication channels remain open.

Brussels agrees on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation

Trade chief details why bloc needs to take stronger steps to defend itself from what is described as a new ‘China shock’ to its industries.

Nato and Romania accuse Russia after drone hits block of flats

Drone strikes a 10-storey building in Galati, causing an explosion and civilian injuries in an apparent spillover of the Ukraine conflict.

European leaders get ready to ‘act now’ amid rising fears of ‘China shock 2.0’

Ahead of a key debate on Friday, most commissioners said to support a more robust stance and broader use of safeguard measures.

Opinion | Europe wants to confront China – but without the consequences

Exclusive | EU and China set for Paris talks this week as trade war fears mount