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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.
A Spanish flag flies by the Christopher Columbus monument in Madrid. On Tuesday, Spain’s left-wing government approved a decree to legalise thousands of undocumented migrants. Photo: AFP
Spain

Spain to grant legal status to migrants defying Trump trend, Europe’s policies

New decree offers status to roughly 500,000 residents, in contrast to the deportation focus of Trump’s administration and some EU leaders.

China manufacturing

Over 70% of European firms in China review supply chain strategies: survey

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s exports jump 15.4% in 2025 to ‘historical high’

India

India, EU ‘make history’ as they seal trade pact amid US tariff pressure

Both sides are ‘set to benefit’ from the deal that analysts say will underscore broader shifts under way in the global order.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

China coming ‘closer’ to US as ‘global power’, European ex-leader says

Former Portuguese prime minister says Beijing is ‘scoring more points’ in a ‘volatile’ world through economic growth, diplomatic victories.

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United Nations

Hundreds feared missing or dead in Mediterranean shipwrecks, UN says

IOM investigates reports of vessels being impacted by bad weather after departing from Tunisia and Libya for Europe.

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Donald Trump

Opinion | Trump has laid bare the ‘Scramble for Europe’

Faced with an aggressive Trump administration, an unapologetic Russia and a rising China, European efforts towards strategic autonomy may be too little, too late.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-EU relations

European leaders say the quiet part out loud: order no longer constrains power

EU leaders appear to have finally accepted they are facing a new era of great power competition – the question now is how they respond.

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United States

EU lawmakers divided over resuming work on US trade deal after Greenland crisis

The EU, which suspended the deal in protest against Trump’s demand to take over Greenland, has put off a decision until next week.

Britain

Farage’s Reform UK attracts another high-profile Conservative defector

Former home secretary joins right-wing Reform UK and declares ‘Britain is indeed broken’.

Britain’s Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Photo: Reuters
Elon Musk

EU opens probe into Musk’s Grok over sexual AI deepfakes

Brussels targets X with a new probe into ‘digital undressing’, vowing to protect women and children from illegal AI content.

The EU will investigate Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot for allegedly sharing illegal content, risking a hefty fine. Photo: TNS
Russia

Russian shadow tanker’s Indian captain, crew in French custody

The Grinch is suspected of belonging to Russia’s sanctions-busting ‘shadow fleet’ for the vessel’s failure to fly a flag.

United States

Opinion | In dealing with Trump, Europe must realise power respects power

Instead of outsourcing its defence capacity to Washington and limiting economic ties with Beijing, the EU should focus on building leverage.

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France

Macron pushes forward France’s social media ban for under 15s

France’s health watchdog said that 90 per cent of children between 12 and 17 use smartphones daily to access the internet.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron wearing sunglasses as he waits for Lebanon’s Prime Minister prior to their meeting at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on Friday. Photo: AFP
India

EU envoys top guests at India celebration to seal trade deal

India and the EU have tried to cut dependence on Russia and the US respectively by diversifying imports and pushing their own domestic manufacturing.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrive for a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on February 28 last year. Photo: Reuters
My Take

My Take | Trump threatens Greenland but Nato chief says China is the real threat

EU and Nato ‘leaders’ can continue to act slavishly before the Americans. They are just making themselves irrelevant and despised.

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China-EU relations

Finland’s leader set for 4-day China visit as Europe seeks to counter Trump

Petteri Orpo to lead executives from more than 20 companies in first China visit by a Finnish prime minister since 2017.

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2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Letters | When conflicts disrupt education, societies lose

Readers discuss education for crisis-affected children, how Donald Trump is reshaping global politics, and the truth about Europe.

A boy stands among adults waiting to collect supplies at Batthkav refugee camp, amid clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, in Chong Kal, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia on December 12. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia’s defence deal with Bosnia signals Asian middle power’s clout

The deal is in line with Jakarta’s goal to pursue an ‘active and free’ foreign policy beyond its Western partners.

United States

Outside In | Why Trump’s Davos farce may come to be seen as a watershed

Whatever his motivations, he’s alarmed allies and made clear the old order based on a benign US is gone, even as his popularity slips at home.

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China energy security

In Davos debut, Musk highlights key China advantage in AI race

China’s energy supply edge was also at the heart of a panel discussion on clean energy in Europe.

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Photo: EPA
Donald Trump

Video | The real reason Trump wants Greenland

Security and securing alternative natural resources are priorities for the US president’s administration, and the Danish island has a strategic role in his ambitions.

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US-China relations

China to ‘quietly track’ Greenland developments amid Arctic ambitions: analysts

Beijing to focus on maintaining its ‘constructive relationship with US’ and does not need to ‘disrupt that over Greenland’, say experts.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky slams ‘fragmented’ Europe, says it looks lost facing Trump

In a fiery speech at Davos, the president also blasted EU allies for lack of ‘political will’ in countering Russia’s Putin.

Ukraine war

Trump sends message to Putin ‘war has to end’ after ‘good’ meeting with Zelensky

Trump’s comments come after crucial Davos talks with Ukraine’s leader, as peace efforts intensify amid fresh strikes and high-stakes diplomacy.

US President Donald Trump attends the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday. Photo: AP
Jimmy Lai trial

Beijing, Hong Kong slam European bid to sanction officials over Jimmy Lai trial

Resolution in response to conviction of former media boss also calls for rethink of city’s trade status under World Trade Organization.

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Jimmy Lai faces life in prison after being convicted by a Hong Kong court of national security offences. Photo: Reuters
Extreme weather

Storm unleashes half a year’s rain on Athens, leaving devastation in its wake

Top expert confirms the Greek capital received 40 per cent of its annual rainfall in under 24 hours, leaving two dead and hundreds of homes flooded.

US-China relations

Opinion | China has Trump 2.0 to thank for emerging stronger in tech and trade

As intense US-China competition becomes the new normal, pressure has strengthened China’s capacity to adapt rather than deter it from its long-term ambitions.

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