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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.
With a trade truce in place between China and the United States, Beijing has hit pause on more rare earth restrictions. Photo: Chinatopix via AP
China-EU relations

Europe urged to ‘learn to fight for itself’ in case US-China truce collapses

European Council on Foreign Relations calls for Brussels to be prepared and ‘not wait until the next crisis hits’.

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China-EU relations

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

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Crime

France convicts Chinese captain of oil tanker linked to Russian shadow fleet

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war and rogue drones force European aviation safety rethink

As the Middle East conflict clogs flight corridors between Asia and Europe, EASA chief warns of ‘hybrid warfare’ risks.

A Boeing 747 plane takes off from Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates earlier this month. Photo: EPA
Israel

European countries appeal to Israel to abandon plans to revive death penalty

Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the UK expressed concern about the bill which opponents say would target only Palestinians.

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Britain

UK’s PM Starmer to host industry leaders for Middle East war talks on Monday

Participants at the talks will include government and military officials alongside energy, shipping, finance and insurance sector leaders.

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Germany

Hundreds flee as fire rips through German nightclub

3 people were injured in the fire in Kehl, southwestern Germany. Authorities said most of the building will have to be torn down.

Smoke rises from the roof of a building, the site of a fire at the K nightclub in Kehl, southwestern Germany on Sunday. Photo: Feuerwehr Kehl / AFP / Handout
US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Europe’s response to Iran war risks becoming its ‘darkest hour’

By prevaricating on US aggression, Brussels risks forfeiting new partnerships that could help reduce its reliance on Washington.

The Philippines

Why Philippines may face ‘strategic dilemma’ over Nato partnership, US demands

Manila has been forging closer ties with several Nato members amid tensions between the transatlantic security alliance and the US.

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US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ukraine’s not America’s war, Iran not our war’: US, G7 diplomats trade barbs

The US secretary of state chided allies for rebuffing Trump’s demand for military help in the Gulf.

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Rocket trails are seen in the sky amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on Friday. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Merz floats EU-China deal, Trump’s new Beijing date, European lawmakers visit

This week: Germany’s Friedrich Merz envisages an eventual China-EU trade deal, new date set for Trump’s China trip and fuel prices surge amid war on Iran. Next week: European parliament sends first delegation to China in eight years, solar export subsidies end, Air China resumes North Korea flights, and more.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) visited Unitree’s headquarters in Hangzhou last month. (Photo: EPA)
China-EU relations

European Parliament heads to China after 8 years and lobbying from Beijing

Chair of consumer protection delegation due in China next week wants to convey ‘that our rules on product standards are to be followed’.

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China’s private sector

BASF launches biggest overseas project in China with green-powered mega-site

German chemical giant opens US$10 billion Zhanjiang complex, its largest overseas investment, as Beijing courts foreign capital.

China-Germany relations

Germany’s Merz floats EU-China trade deal as European capitals soften on Beijing

Remarks urging ‘strategic partnerships around the world’ underscore how tensions with the US are inducing a more accommodating stance.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on February 25. Photo: dpa
Ukraine war

Finland’s president says Ukraine talks may be at ‘end of the road’

He says the war in Iran is ‘drawing a lot of attention away’ from the Ukraine war, and that Ukraine talks are ‘not making further progress’.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki, Finland in March 2025. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as Russia starts spring offensive

US redirects air defences and eases oil sanctions on Moscow, leaving Kyiv to face Russian assaults with dwindling resources.

United Nations

UN designates African slave trade as ‘gravest crime against humanity’

US, Israel and Argentina opposed the UN measure, while Britain and EU member states abstained.

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CPTPP

Opinion | Pacific trade vitality shows multilateralism is alive and well

With the US in retreat, nations committed to economic integration are moving forward through partnerships like the CPTPP.

Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-EU relations

Why Chinese companies struggling at home are looking to Europe

Chinese firms operating in Europe have very different view to European firms with investments in China, survey finds.

Middle East

Opinion | As the Gulf grows riskier, the Arctic is gaining strategic weight

As traditional energy centres become less stable, the Arctic’s resources, shipping routes and infrastructure are growing in importance.

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Russia

EU delays proposal to permanently ban Russian oil imports

The proposal is not cancelled, but would no longer be published by April 15 due to ‘current geopolitical developments’.

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The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia at the Hungarian MOL Group’s Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary. Photo: Reuters
Italy

Italian voters reject judicial reform in setback for Meloni

Italy’s prime minister concedes defeat in a referendum on her judicial reform plan, which was seen as a test of her leadership.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni casting her ballot. Photo: Francesco Fotia/AGF via ZUMA Press/dpa
Greece

Criminal trial begins in Greece for rail disaster that killed 57

Most of the 36 defendants - all rail and transport officials - face serious charges linked to endangering public transport.

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France

Socialist Gregoire becomes Paris mayor in France local elections

Emmanuel Gregoire succeeds Anne Hidalgo as mayor of Paris, while the far-right secures a resounding win in Nice.

Donald Trump

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
China-EU relations

China and the Netherlands seek ‘pragmatic’ reset as Nexperia row rolls on

Wang Yi hails ‘positive signals’ from new Dutch minister as US pressure and EU de-risking leave The Hague juggling security and trade interests.

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Chinese-owned Dutch semiconductor company Nexperia has been at the centre of a row between China and the Netherlands. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

US claims China manipulating its position at UN to undermine America’s interests

House Select Committee says Beijing using monetary contributions, critical UN posts and strategic troop deployment to expand its reach.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump calls Nato ‘cowards’ over lack of support in Iran war, sends more troops

Iran is threatening tourist sites worldwide, renewing fears that Tehran could resort to militant attacks beyond the Middle East.

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