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.
Illustration: Henry Wong
China energy security

As Western grids strain to meet AI’s electricity needs, is power China’s power?

China’s energy buildout means cheap, green and reliable electricity fuels its manufacturing and tech industries, giving it an edge over rivals.

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India

Germany’s Merz backs India-EU trade deal during first official visit to Asia

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China-EU relations

China-EU deal on EVs marks rare agreement in frosty relations

China-EU relations

Opinion | EU-China ties are stuck between interdependence and rivalry

To break the pattern of trade escalations with Beijing, Brussels must move beyond tariffs and invest in its own competitiveness.

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Employees work on the assembly line of vehicles at a workshop of FAW-Volkswagen on December 9, 2025, in Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
China-EU relations

EU pricing guidelines for China-made EVs

The European Commission published guidance for carmakers that want to set a minimum price for China-made battery electric vehicles instead of paying tariffs.

Greenland

Greenland says it should be defended by Nato, rejects any US takeover

The Arctic island’s government insists that security must happen through the Western alliance, not via US ownership.

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China-EU relations

‘Soft landing’: China, EU see progress in EV dispute with price floor option

Breakthrough follows duties levied by Brussels in October 2024 as part of investigation into industry subsidies.

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A drone photo taken on June 29 shows electric vehicles parked at an export terminal at the Hangzhou section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province. Photo: Xinhua
Iran

Trump says Iran wants to negotiate after reports of hundreds killed in unrest

Amidst unrest, Trump claims Iran seeks talks, but warns of strong action. Tehran blames the US and Israel, but signals openness to diplomacy.

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India

India’s Modi to host German leader to bolster trade, defence ties

Merz’s visit is his first to an Asian country since he took office, ahead of a planned EU-India summit and as they work on a free-trade agreement.

My Take

My Take | The days of EU and Nato may be numbered under von der Leyen and Kallas

Europe’s leaders continue to play supplicants to Trump, who may be an even bigger existential threat than Putin with his undisguised US imperialism.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks with the media as she arrives for the EU Summit in Brussels, December 18, 2025. Photo: AP
Greenland

Britain in talks with Nato allies over Arctic security as US eyes Greenland

UK minister says talks on the Arctic ‘business as usual’, while Trump posits having Greenland ‘one way or the other’.

Donald Trump has said that he would like to make a deal to acquire Greenland, a semiautonomous region of Nato ally Denmark. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | The global AI race: 3 scenarios the world must prepare for

From US-China dominance to regulatory reset or systemic disruption, the AI race is heading towards three very different outcomes.

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Trade

‘Sell out’: Irish farmers out in force against EU-Mercosur trade deal

Farmers fear the deal will result in an influx of an extra 99,000 tonnes of cheap beef from South America, disrupting Irish agriculture.

Britain

1 dead in UK, 100,000 French homes without power as storms batter Europe

The man died on Friday after a tree fell onto a caravan in Cornwall, while some rail services in Germany remain affected by the storms.

A fallen tree is cleared from a road in St Stephen, Cornwall, England, on Friday as Storm Goretti continues to batter the United Kingdom. Photo: PA via AP
China exports

Goodwill or necessity? Why is China slashing solar and battery subsidies?

Analysts expect policy will signal to Europe that Beijing is interested in serious trade relations and is a good partner.

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Authorities announced on Friday China will cancel export VAT rebates for solar panels and lower rebates for batteries from 9 per cent to 6 per cent from April 1. The rebates for batteries will be cancelled on January 1, 2027. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
China-EU relations

EU agrees to ‘world’s largest’ free-trade zone with Mercosur pact after 25 years

The EU sealed the historic deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to form a 700 million strong bloc, defying fierce farmer opposition.

US-China relations

US will end China’s dominance of rare earths, Trump adviser Navarro predicts

The president’s trade aide says American innovation will ‘quickly wipe away’ Beijing’s ‘weaponisation’ of critical minerals.

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France

France’s Macron slams US over Venezuela, Greenland actions

The French President condemned Washington’s isolationism after the capture of Venezuela’s leader and designs to take over the Danish territory.

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French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to French ambassadors on Thursday in Paris. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

Russia slams West’s ‘axis of war’ as Kyiv says US guarantees ‘essentially ready’

Moscow warns ‘axis of war’ peacekeepers potentially being deployed to Ukraine are targets, overshadowing Zelensky’s claim a US pact is almost ready.

Malaysia

Ankara anchor: Malaysia finds Turkey ‘reliable friend’ in stormy global waters

Trump’s tariffs and actions in Venezuela are causing the Global South to look for less mercurial partners, analysts say.

China-EU relations

Will Trump’s threats to Greenland help bring China and Europe closer together?

The US president has said control of the Danish territory is a national security issue, causing increased alarm among Copenhagen’s allies.

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Donald Trump has said the US needs Greenland “right now”. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Ukraine’s allies agree to ‘robust’ security guarantees in push to end war

UK and France could deploy troops on Ukrainian territory after a ceasefire, but a big question mark hangs over Russia’s response.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) signs a declaration of intent along with France’s President Emmanuel Macron (centre) and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Photo: AFP
Greenland

Use of US military to acquire Greenland ‘always an option’, White House says

Trump’s preferred option might be to buy Greenland from Denmark, but the White House says military action is being considered.

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Greenland

‘End of Nato’: Denmark warns US against taking Greenland by force

Denmark’s prime minister says a ‘military attack’ would destroy the transatlantic alliance, while Greenland’s leader urges against panic.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky replaces security chief and hires Canada’s former deputy PM

Ukraine’s president taps elite ‘Alpha’ commander to lead the SBU and recruits Chrystia Freeland to drive economic development.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Chrystia Freeland. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via Reuters
US-Venezuela conflict

Who wins – and who loses – if the US seizes control of Venezuela’s oil?

Impact on China may be limited thanks to diversified import markets – but Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the EU could face setbacks.

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El Palito refinery of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA is pictured, in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, on February 10, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Britain

UK begins ‘world-leading’ junk food ad ban to curb childhood obesity

Restrictions on daytime television and paid online advertisements are part of a US$2.7 billion preventive health strategy.

France

Brigitte Macron wins France cyberbullying case over false gender theories

Ten people were found guilty of harassing France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, by spreading viral rumours about her gender and identity.

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