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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.
A man plays chess with an AI-powered chess robot at the exhibition area of Chinese company SenseRobot at a pre-show event of the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, US, on January 5. Photo: Xinhua
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | How the AI race could play out for the US, China and the world

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

Britain

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

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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Britain

Mobile seizure powers launch in UK crackdown on people smugglers

New UK laws allow officers to seize SIM cards and mobiles to gather intelligence on smuggling operators.

Migrants try to board a smuggler’s boat in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France. Photo: AFP
Britain

UK’s Starmer says ousting him would lead to chaos, far-right government

Instability ‘would gift Nigel Farage’, the PM said, referring to the right-wing Reform UK leader who currently tops opinion polls.

Malaysia

Malaysia, EU threaten action against X, Grok AI for offensive images

Malaysian authorities said they are investigating images produced by Grok after complaints about the misuse of AI to manipulate images of women and minors.

China-EU relations

‘Straddle the middle ground’: Europe’s hard choice over US attacks on Venezuela

Although they do not agree with Trump’s way of doing things, they seem to agree with his ultimate objectives, analyst in China says.

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US President Donald Trump, flanked by his top officials, addresses a press conference following the capture of the Venezuelan first couple, in Florida on January 3. Photo: Reuters
Portugal

Portugal’s 11 presidential candidates debate migration, instability

A government package of labour reforms, a major strike, and a law permitting euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide will also land on the president’s desk.

Former head of the navy and candidate for the upcoming 18 January presidential election, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, visits the local Monte Abracao market in Queluz, Sintra, Portugal, on Saturday. Gouveia e Melo rose to national prominence after being appointed coordinator of the Task Force for the successful national COVID-19 vaccination plan that saw Portugal have the highest vaccination rates in the world. Photo: EPA-EFE
India

‘It’s paying off’: India spreads its trade bets to beat Trump’s 50% tariff

With exports hitting a record US$825 billion and a spate of new trade pacts, India is finding success diversifying away from the US.

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Climate change

Opinion | How China quietly became the world’s climate policy leader

For better or worse, the future of climate action will be shaped as much by Beijing’s relentless pragmatism as by Western ideals.

Ukraine war

Trump ‘not thrilled’ with Putin, says too many people dying in Ukraine war

After a US strike that captured Venezuela’s Maduro, Trump said: ‘I thought … one of the easier ones would be Russia, Ukraine. It’s not’.

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US President Donald Trump, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August. On Saturday, Trump said Putin was killing “too many people”. Photo: AP
European Council

Opinion | Can Europe survive its crippling paralysis?

The brutal reality is that the European Union is failing to get its squabbling nations to work as a coherent group.

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European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas signs an agreement to transfer to Ukraine a tranche of proceeds from frozen Russian assets during a meeting in Lviv, Ukraine, on May 9. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Chinese public warms to US while strongly backing Beijing’s trade stance: survey

‘Substantial’ uptick in favourability towards America compared with previous year, but still lower than scores for Britain, the EU and Asean.

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War and conflict

Outside In | 2025 was the year of denial. What now?

Despite the threat of wars, tariffs, climate change and AI, normality has persisted. But it can only be a matter of time before such contradictions explode.

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