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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.
Justin Lin Yifu, dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University, is seen at last month’s Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 in China’s Hainan province. Photo: Xinhua
China trade

Learn from the East, says economist Justin Lin, refuting ‘overcapacity’ rhetoric

Former World Bank economist defends Beijing’s industrial strategy amid ‘overcapacity’ allegations, points to Germany and a ‘double standard’.

China-EU relations

China’s CRRC drops bid for Lisbon metro deal as EU finds ‘billions’ in subsidies

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Hungary

Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law breaches EU rules as court ruling hailed as ‘historic’

Electric & new energy vehicles

Jump in EU EV sales amid Iran war boosts Chinese brands’ fortunes

Chinese-made EVs accounted for 16 per cent of the EU market in the year’s first two months, up from 12.2 per cent in 2025, CPCA data shows.

Sales of battery electric vehicles in the EU climbed 51 per cent month on month in March. Photo: EPA
China’s anti-sanctions law

How China is reinforcing its ‘legal shield’ against foreign pressure

New rules take aim at sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’, and the Strait of Hormuz crisis could provide a high-stakes testing ground.

Austria

1 dead, 6 hurt as trolleybus crashes into supermarket in Austria

Police investigate a suspected medical emergency after a driver lost control of a Salzburg bus.

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Artificial intelligence

Elon Musk summoned in France to show up over deepfakes on X, Grok probe

French prosecutors want to interview Musk over the dissemination of Holocaust denial and sexual deepfakes, and political interference.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk looks on as US President Donald Trump speaks at the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington in November. Photo: AFP
Russia

Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory

Rumen Radev has criticised military support for Ukraine’s war effort and the European Union’s heavy reliance on renewable energy.

China-EU relations

Opinion | Why Spain’s outreach to China offers a viable model for Europe

De-risking while also deepening ties beyond the transactional shows that interdependence and strategic autonomy aren’t mutually exclusive.

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China-EU relations

China threatens EU firms over cybersecurity plans targeting Chinese companies

China’s commerce ministry warns broad retaliation is on the table if firms such as Huawei and ZTE are penalised by proposed law.

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Beijing has submitted to the EU on its cybersecurity regulations with a threat of retaliatory probes and the promise of litigation if Chinese firms are targeted. Photo: Shutterstock
US, Israel war on Iran

Why Iran war is making petrol cars an unwanted luxury in Asia

From Nepal to Vietnam, soaring fuel costs are making petrol cars a luxury as Asia outpaces Europe in the race to go electric.

A man looks at an EV from a Chinese carmaker at an auto expo in Shanghai. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

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Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former president set for strong election win: exit polls

In his campaign, Rumen Radev talked about improving relations with Moscow and resuming the free flow of ‌Russian oil and gas into Europe.

China-Africa relations

Why China is urgently looking to North Africa as the energy crisis rolls on

From Algerian oilfields to Moroccan battery factories and Egypt’s industrial base, Beijing may now fast-track projects across the region.

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Cargo ships in the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, on March 11. Photo: Reuters
China manufacturing

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China exports

Iran war energy shock threatens Southeast Asia’s supply chains. A win for China?

US and European importers are shifting some orders back to China – but not everyone is optimistic.

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SCMP Highlights

China’s 3-satellite surveillance network, C919 faces ‘final exam’: 7 highlights

From Chinese AI cracking decade-old maths problem to Japan eyeing Nato partnership, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong leader John Lee, EU officials meet to discuss trade, cooperation

EU ambassador describes lunch meeting as a ‘constructive and in-depth exchange on EU-Hong Kong relations’.

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Chief Executive John Lee (centre) chats with Harvey Rouse at a lunch meeting with EU representatives. Photo: Facebook/John Lee
US-China trade war

Trade tensions dim foreign investment outlook in US and China, survey finds

US and China have ‘suffered the most’ amid global decline in outbound investment appetite due to heightened geopolitical tensions.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Europe running low on jet fuel, stoking fears of flight cancellations

IEA executive director Birol said the Hormuz blockade-induced energy crisis will hit nations including Japan, China and India harder.

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China-EU relations

Open Questions | Europe lacks China strategy, needs new US approach, Biscop says

Sven Biscop, director at the Royal Institute for International Relations in Brussels, on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
United States

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

US ambassador to UN joined other Washington envoys hailing US-led cost-cutting, efficiency drive and streamlining of UN’s cumulative ‘bloat’.

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US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz speaks after a United Nations Security Council meeting earlier this month. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | EU budget chief pushes collaboration, bonds on Hong Kong leg of Asia tour

Piotr Serafin says EU remains open to capital from city and mainland China despite pursuing a ‘de-risking strategy’ in certain key sectors.

Social media

EU unveils age-check app amid efforts to better protect children online

The app will allow users to prove their age when accessing online platforms and is ‘completely anonymous’ to ensure data cannot be tracked.

China exports

Chinese steelmakers team up to adjust to EU’s carbon-linked import imposts

Industry insiders say carbon costs are expected to cascade through supply chains, adding to compliance costs for Chinese exporters.

Workers prepare steel coils for shipment at Lianyungang Port, in Jiangsu province, on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Hungary

Incoming Hungarian leader vows to suspend state news broadcasts

Peter Magyar wants to restore media independence after his landslide election win, ending Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule.

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Hungary’s Prime minister-elect Peter Magyar in Budapest on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
China-Latin America relations

China and the US want rare earths. Brazil will share – on one condition

Move comes as Washington locks US$565 million deal with Brazil’s only operating rare earth mine.

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China-EU relations

Brussels must resist ‘passive’ role in US-China trade war, EU chamber urges

European companies keep becoming ‘collateral damage’ in others’ disputes, laments president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

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