The EU has concluded its third major trade deal of 2026. Its agreement with Australia reflects both sides’ desire for new partners amid Trumpian chaos and Chinese coercion. But now this partnership should go further
Merz’s trip is less a bilateral tour than a signal setting moment: his words and stance will influence whether Europe pivots to a more assertive China strategy or lets Beijing lock in a costly status quo
Sanae Takaichi’s supermajority victory will speed up Japan’s assertive policies on defence and economic security. For Europe, this makes Japan a more predictable partner—but it also adds pressure to match Tokyo’s new pace
The new EU-India free trade agreement could become a template for 21st-century trade governance
Europeans should understand that China views climate policy not as ideology—but as a lever of industrial power
China’s export restrictions are bringing European factories to the verge of shutting down. Yielding to Chinese pressure today will only invite more sophisticated threats tomorrow; only a united and assertive EU response can stop the cycle of coercion and protect Europe’s industrial core
This week, tensions between India and Pakistan have led to direct combat and fatalities. As the confrontation escalates, Europeans will likely have to take clear sides and re-assess the role of Chinese military technology in future wars—which could be much closer to home
British chancellor Rachel Reeves’s visit to Beijing over the weekend shows the Labour government’s willingness to re-engage with China. But this strategy could strain Britain’s relationship with the EU
The attempted imposition of martial law by President Yoon Suk-Yeol has plunged South Korea into political uncertainty. As Seoul’s immediate focus turns inward, its ability and willingness to tackle shared challenges with Europe may decline, from the war in Ukraine to Chinese economic coercion
Plans unveiled at the G20 for a trade corridor linking the EU to India via the Gulf could rival China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But the participants face considerable challenges to ensure its economic viability and secure the necessary financing