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Finbarr Bermingham
Europe Correspondent
Finbarr Bermingham reports on Europe-China relations for the Post. He joined the newspaper in 2018, initially on the Political Economy desk reporting primarily on global trade, economics and geopolitics. After a decade on the trade beat in London and Hong Kong, he took up the role of Europe Correspondent, moving to Brussels to report from the heart of the EU. Having helmed the US-China Trade War Update, a weekly podcast, since 2019, he is the current host of the China Geopolitics Podcast.
European Union’s diplomatic arm says no plans to reciprocate Beijing’s overture as it has not observed improvements in far western region.
‘It has always been the EP’s intention to have sanctions lifted and resume relations with China,’ spokesperson says.
From the EU to Australia, the West’s geopolitical partnerships have fractured, but suspicions about Beijing persist.
Bloc turns some of the weapons it had trained on Beijing towards Washington for potential use in the erstwhile allies’ worsening trade war.
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The debate has not escaped notice in Washington, where several US officials have warned the bloc against turning to its No 1 enemy.
Chinese imports from Netherlands dip more than 10 per cent in March according to customs data after buyers rushed to stockpile high-end semiconductor tools.
Following small win in brandy probe, Brussels hopes it will be able to push Beijing on industrial overcapacity, sources say.
No date confirmed with the Chinese side as travel plan indicates serious effort to re-engage amid collapsed relationship with the US.
Ursula von der Leyen raised grievances with Li Qiang and emphasised their shared responsibility in supporting a strong trading system.
Advocates for easier trade with Beijing, including Spain, face off against Poland and others backing protections against Chinese imports.
Some hope Europe’s developed economy and adherence to rules will be attractive to partners turned off by a ‘might makes right’ world.
US action could have dire effects for millions of people, world leaders warn, as US allies across Europe, Asia consider next moves.
Trump has torched relations with the European Union, and the bloc’s new-found pragmatism is said to be defining its strategy on Beijing.
As China leads the way on EVs and batteries, some say Europe should be pursuing joint ventures and technology transfer with Chinese firms.
Maros Sefcovic, in Beijing meeting with Vice-Premier He Lifeng, signals European Union’s softening tone toward engagement with China.
EU officials experienced on China have insisted in planning meetings that no concessions should be made to Beijing.
EU officials and European national representatives are on overlapping visits but each will be asking for something slightly different.
European Commission’s deputy director general for trade called idea that Trump will drive Brussels and Beijing together ‘simplistic thinking’.
Ahead of his trip to Beijing next week, Maros Sefcovic says US tariffs could unleash a flood of Chinese overcapacity on Europe.
Facing duel threats from Washington and Beijing, European Commission wants measures meant to build security into its economic policies.
Case of alleged ‘active corruption’ plus ‘use of false documents’ carried out under the guise of commercial lobbying, prosecutors say.
EU ready with new measures for Chinese steel and aluminium to stop re-routing via US ports, as tariffs on US hit mainly Republican states.
Brussels presses on with building buffers against Beijing despite growing calls in Europe to cut ties with Washington.
Move may signal thaw in relations against backdrop of rapidly fraying alliance with Washington.
‘A European-Russian war would be a catastrophe for China as well,’ analyst says as Beijing looks for opportunities amid shifting geopolitics.
‘United States are aligned with Russia for now, whether it’s about Ukraine, whether it’s about Europe,’ Dmytro Kuleba says.
As bloc’s ties with US plummet over Donald Trump’s embrace of Russia, Beijing pitches itself as a more reliable partner than Washington.
Bilateral grievances sure to be on the agenda, although problems between Europe and US could provide space for positive discussions.
Front runner Friedrich Merz has long been expected to take a hawkish stance, but Trump and electoral maths may limit his room for manoeuvre.
