Finbarr Bermingham
@fbermingham.bsky.social
Senior Correspondent for Europe at the South China Morning Post.
Tracking the shifting tectonic plates of global trade and geopolitics.
All posts should be heard in a Fermanagh accent.
Tracking the shifting tectonic plates of global trade and geopolitics.
All posts should be heard in a Fermanagh accent.
Pinned
7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of Trump’s ‘G2’
A brief discussion on the Indo-Pacific suggests a union that is increasingly peripheral – on China and arguably almost everything else.
www.scmp.com
7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of China and Trump’s ‘G2’
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
The European Commission is exploring ways to force European Union member states to phase out Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. from their telecommunications networks
EU Eyes Banning Huawei From Mobile Networks of Member Countries
The European Commission is exploring ways to force European Union member states to phase out Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. from their telecommunications networks, according to people with the matter.
www.bloomberg.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The European Commission is exploring ways to force European Union member states to phase out Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. from their telecommunications networks
Just getting to Mofcom's statement on Nexperia yesterday
"China has taken concrete measures to grant exemptions for compliant exports for civilian use.... we welcome EU to continue exerting its influence to urge Netherlands to correct its erroneous practices as soon as possible"
"China has taken concrete measures to grant exemptions for compliant exports for civilian use.... we welcome EU to continue exerting its influence to urge Netherlands to correct its erroneous practices as soon as possible"
November 10, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Just getting to Mofcom's statement on Nexperia yesterday
"China has taken concrete measures to grant exemptions for compliant exports for civilian use.... we welcome EU to continue exerting its influence to urge Netherlands to correct its erroneous practices as soon as possible"
"China has taken concrete measures to grant exemptions for compliant exports for civilian use.... we welcome EU to continue exerting its influence to urge Netherlands to correct its erroneous practices as soon as possible"
Interesting reporting
Nexperia purchased an estate with a luxury farmhouse, outbuildings, swimming pool in a Dutch village this summer for €6.7mn, "which serves as a Dutch residence for Chinese CEO Wing. 4 months after the purchase, he was ousted"
Nexperia purchased an estate with a luxury farmhouse, outbuildings, swimming pool in a Dutch village this summer for €6.7mn, "which serves as a Dutch residence for Chinese CEO Wing. 4 months after the purchase, he was ousted"
Nexperia koopt 'Loenens lusthof' voor geschorste topman Mr Wing
Chipbedrijf Nexperia heeft deze zomer voor 6,7 miljoen euro een landgoed met luxe woonboerderij, bijgebouwen en zwembad in Loenen aan de Vecht gekocht. Dat blijkt uit onderzoek door RTL Z. Volgens betrokkenen dient het kapitale landgoed als Nederlands verblijf voor de Chinese topman Zhang Xuezheng. Vier maanden na de aankoop werd hij echter afgezet bij het bedrijf.
www.rtl.nl
November 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Interesting reporting
Nexperia purchased an estate with a luxury farmhouse, outbuildings, swimming pool in a Dutch village this summer for €6.7mn, "which serves as a Dutch residence for Chinese CEO Wing. 4 months after the purchase, he was ousted"
Nexperia purchased an estate with a luxury farmhouse, outbuildings, swimming pool in a Dutch village this summer for €6.7mn, "which serves as a Dutch residence for Chinese CEO Wing. 4 months after the purchase, he was ousted"
Crazy story: China's consul general in Osaka threatened on X to "cut off a dirty neck without a moment of hesitation" while citing a news article on Japanese PM Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan in parliament.
"Are you ready for that?" the post read.
"Are you ready for that?" the post read.
Japan protests China diplomat's violent threat over Takaichi Taiwan remark
The Japanese government said Monday it has lodged a stern protest with China regarding a violent threat made by a Chinese diplomat over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent remarks about her country's potential involvement in a Taiwan emergency.
english.kyodonews.net
November 10, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Crazy story: China's consul general in Osaka threatened on X to "cut off a dirty neck without a moment of hesitation" while citing a news article on Japanese PM Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan in parliament.
"Are you ready for that?" the post read.
"Are you ready for that?" the post read.
Kaja Kallas arriving at EU Latin America summit, in place of von der Leyen
Q. What do you say about the absence of some personalities like Ursula von der Leyen?
You have to ask those people who are absent, but, there is a saying, let us be grateful for those who are present.
Q. What do you say about the absence of some personalities like Ursula von der Leyen?
You have to ask those people who are absent, but, there is a saying, let us be grateful for those who are present.
November 9, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Kaja Kallas arriving at EU Latin America summit, in place of von der Leyen
Q. What do you say about the absence of some personalities like Ursula von der Leyen?
You have to ask those people who are absent, but, there is a saying, let us be grateful for those who are present.
Q. What do you say about the absence of some personalities like Ursula von der Leyen?
You have to ask those people who are absent, but, there is a saying, let us be grateful for those who are present.
First time I've cooked roast duck. Pretty good! 🦆
November 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
First time I've cooked roast duck. Pretty good! 🦆
Meanwhile on the bird site, reporting on the Taiwan VP's speech at the EP means you're either trashing EU-China ties or speaking for Beijing.
Choose your adventure!
Choose your adventure!
November 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Meanwhile on the bird site, reporting on the Taiwan VP's speech at the EP means you're either trashing EU-China ties or speaking for Beijing.
Choose your adventure!
Choose your adventure!
Trump grants Orban an exemption from sanctions to continue buying Russian oil
www.bloomberg.com/ne...
www.bloomberg.com/ne...
November 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Trump grants Orban an exemption from sanctions to continue buying Russian oil
www.bloomberg.com/ne...
www.bloomberg.com/ne...
I guess 9 minutes is a long time in politics
November 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I guess 9 minutes is a long time in politics
Story: Taiwan’s No 2 leader Hsiao Bi-khim makes shock speech at European Parliament
Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes shock speech at European Parliament
Second-in-command addressed private conference of lawmakers on Friday in Brussels, a move likely to prompt a furious response from Beijing.
www.scmp.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Story: Taiwan’s No 2 leader Hsiao Bi-khim makes shock speech at European Parliament
Dutch PM Schoof now says China has confirmed it will resume shipping chips
“We were informed by China that they will enable the resumption of supplies from Chinese factories from Nexperia,” Schoof said on the sidelines of a climate summit in Brazil
“We were informed by China that they will enable the resumption of supplies from Chinese factories from Nexperia,” Schoof said on the sidelines of a climate summit in Brazil
Dutch PM Schoof Says China to Resume Nexperia Chip Exports
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said China has agreed to resume deliveries of Nexperia chips from plants in the country, signaling a potential breakthrough in a clash that risked disrupting global auto production.
www.bloomberg.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Dutch PM Schoof now says China has confirmed it will resume shipping chips
“We were informed by China that they will enable the resumption of supplies from Chinese factories from Nexperia,” Schoof said on the sidelines of a climate summit in Brazil
“We were informed by China that they will enable the resumption of supplies from Chinese factories from Nexperia,” Schoof said on the sidelines of a climate summit in Brazil
Not in Brussels to see this today, but Taiwan's Vice President just delivered a speech at the European Parliament
November 7, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Not in Brussels to see this today, but Taiwan's Vice President just delivered a speech at the European Parliament
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
Also: @fbermingham.bsky.social highlights an important element in this article: "The stance is not unusual in Brussels, where Beijing is broadly seen as an enabler of Russia’s war. But some are wondering if Kallas’ all-consuming focus on Moscow is necessarily in the bloc’s long-term favour."
"Europe’s foreign policy disorder is increasingly evident in its approach to China. The EU has always had a series of competing approaches rather than a comprehensive strategy, but even those have given way in recent months to incoherence and anxiety over lost influence."
7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of China and Trump’s ‘G2’
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
November 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Also: @fbermingham.bsky.social highlights an important element in this article: "The stance is not unusual in Brussels, where Beijing is broadly seen as an enabler of Russia’s war. But some are wondering if Kallas’ all-consuming focus on Moscow is necessarily in the bloc’s long-term favour."
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of China and Trump’s ‘G2’
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of Trump’s ‘G2’
A brief discussion on the Indo-Pacific suggests a union that is increasingly peripheral – on China and arguably almost everything else.
www.scmp.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:14 AM
7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of China and Trump’s ‘G2’
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
Meanwhile in strategic autonomy land
Solvay open to building rare earths plant in US, where support is stronger than in Europa – Reuters: ‘in April launched modest processing of minerals needed for permanent magnets at its French plant, but said commercial production would depend on support from customers and governments.’
www.reuters.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Meanwhile in strategic autonomy land
Strange noises coming out of Estonian FM trip to Beijing on EU-China FTA
"Margus Tsahkna told Reuters that he discussed with Wang Yi a "very important" EU-China FTA that was different to the CAI, but added that China's support for Russia might slow down its completion"
"Margus Tsahkna told Reuters that he discussed with Wang Yi a "very important" EU-China FTA that was different to the CAI, but added that China's support for Russia might slow down its completion"
November 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Strange noises coming out of Estonian FM trip to Beijing on EU-China FTA
"Margus Tsahkna told Reuters that he discussed with Wang Yi a "very important" EU-China FTA that was different to the CAI, but added that China's support for Russia might slow down its completion"
"Margus Tsahkna told Reuters that he discussed with Wang Yi a "very important" EU-China FTA that was different to the CAI, but added that China's support for Russia might slow down its completion"
New Chinese trade data for Oct out today - slightly more stable numbers for EU:
EU:
Exports to China up 4%
Imports from China up 0.9%
China's trade surplus down 2%
Germany
Exports to China up 5.3%
Imports from China up 5.4%
China's trade surplus up 5.6%
EU:
Exports to China up 4%
Imports from China up 0.9%
China's trade surplus down 2%
Germany
Exports to China up 5.3%
Imports from China up 5.4%
China's trade surplus up 5.6%
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 AM
New Chinese trade data for Oct out today - slightly more stable numbers for EU:
EU:
Exports to China up 4%
Imports from China up 0.9%
China's trade surplus down 2%
Germany
Exports to China up 5.3%
Imports from China up 5.4%
China's trade surplus up 5.6%
EU:
Exports to China up 4%
Imports from China up 0.9%
China's trade surplus down 2%
Germany
Exports to China up 5.3%
Imports from China up 5.4%
China's trade surplus up 5.6%
EU industry boss Séjourné has been talking China to Italian daily La Stampa
"We need to introduce conditionality for foreign investment. There are manufacturers in Europe that assemble Chinese cars with Chinese components and workers, in Spain and Hungary. This is not good."
"We need to introduce conditionality for foreign investment. There are manufacturers in Europe that assemble Chinese cars with Chinese components and workers, in Spain and Hungary. This is not good."
November 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
EU industry boss Séjourné has been talking China to Italian daily La Stampa
"We need to introduce conditionality for foreign investment. There are manufacturers in Europe that assemble Chinese cars with Chinese components and workers, in Spain and Hungary. This is not good."
"We need to introduce conditionality for foreign investment. There are manufacturers in Europe that assemble Chinese cars with Chinese components and workers, in Spain and Hungary. This is not good."
7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of China and Trump’s ‘G2’
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of Trump’s ‘G2’
A brief discussion on the Indo-Pacific suggests a union that is increasingly peripheral – on China and arguably almost everything else.
www.scmp.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:14 AM
7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of China and Trump’s ‘G2’
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
My long read on the EU's drift to the margins on China - and almost everything else
Huge Nexperia news
The Netherlands is prepared to suspend a ministerial order that gave it control over Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia if chip shipments resume in the coming days
The Netherlands is prepared to suspend a ministerial order that gave it control over Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia if chip shipments resume in the coming days
Dutch Ready to Drop Control of Nexperia If Chip Supply Resumes
The Netherlands is prepared to suspend a so-called ministerial order that gave it control over Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia in a move that would de-escalate a fight with Beijing that threatens to disrupt automotive production around the world.
www.bloomberg.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Huge Nexperia news
The Netherlands is prepared to suspend a ministerial order that gave it control over Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia if chip shipments resume in the coming days
The Netherlands is prepared to suspend a ministerial order that gave it control over Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia if chip shipments resume in the coming days
New Dutch government Nexperia statement:
Given constructive nature of talks with Chinese authorities, the Netherlands trusts that the supply of chips from China to Europe and the rest of the world will reach Nexperia’s customers over the coming days.
Given constructive nature of talks with Chinese authorities, the Netherlands trusts that the supply of chips from China to Europe and the rest of the world will reach Nexperia’s customers over the coming days.
Update on invoking Goods Availability Act (Wbg), 6th of November 2025
Update on invoking Goods Availability Act (Wbg), 6th of November 2025.
www.government.nl
November 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
New Dutch government Nexperia statement:
Given constructive nature of talks with Chinese authorities, the Netherlands trusts that the supply of chips from China to Europe and the rest of the world will reach Nexperia’s customers over the coming days.
Given constructive nature of talks with Chinese authorities, the Netherlands trusts that the supply of chips from China to Europe and the rest of the world will reach Nexperia’s customers over the coming days.
The European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into tyres for cars and lighter trucks and buses from China on Thursday, citing sufficient evidence that Chinese producers were receiving unfair benefits from the government.
EU starts anti-subsidy probe into Chinese tyres
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into tyres for cars and lighter trucks and buses from China on Thursday, citing sufficient evidence that Chinese
ca.finance.yahoo.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into tyres for cars and lighter trucks and buses from China on Thursday, citing sufficient evidence that Chinese producers were receiving unfair benefits from the government.
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
NEW: The End of the Line: the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s Neom gigaproject - a 500m tall, 170km long wall-like building intended ultimately to house 9 million people - can’t get out of the ground, say more than 20 former Neom architects, engineers and senior executives.
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled
Mohammed bin Salman’s utopian city was undone by the laws of physics and finance
ig.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:56 AM
NEW: The End of the Line: the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s Neom gigaproject - a 500m tall, 170km long wall-like building intended ultimately to house 9 million people - can’t get out of the ground, say more than 20 former Neom architects, engineers and senior executives.
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
The Trump administration has added “poison pill” termination clauses to trade pacts with south-east Asian countries, creating a new diplomatic weapon in Washington’s strategic competition with China.
US adds ‘poison pills’ to Asia trade pacts to counter China
Conditions inserted by Washington into tariff deals with Cambodia and Malaysia seen as ‘loyalty test’
www.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:53 AM
The Trump administration has added “poison pill” termination clauses to trade pacts with south-east Asian countries, creating a new diplomatic weapon in Washington’s strategic competition with China.
💥Explosive new statement from Nexperia Netherlands overnight
- can't guarantee the IP, tech, authenticity and quality standards for products delivered from Nexperia China as of Oct 13
- refutes rumours that Chinese CEO Zhang Xuetong is back
www.nexperia.com/abo...
- can't guarantee the IP, tech, authenticity and quality standards for products delivered from Nexperia China as of Oct 13
- refutes rumours that Chinese CEO Zhang Xuetong is back
www.nexperia.com/abo...
November 6, 2025 at 9:38 AM
💥Explosive new statement from Nexperia Netherlands overnight
- can't guarantee the IP, tech, authenticity and quality standards for products delivered from Nexperia China as of Oct 13
- refutes rumours that Chinese CEO Zhang Xuetong is back
www.nexperia.com/abo...
- can't guarantee the IP, tech, authenticity and quality standards for products delivered from Nexperia China as of Oct 13
- refutes rumours that Chinese CEO Zhang Xuetong is back
www.nexperia.com/abo...