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
As US-China rivalry redefines economic warfare, EU scrambles for its dictionary
The EU is preparing to unveil a new doctrine on economic security, but it’s a concept that officials and experts say has no clear definition.
www.scmp.com
As US-China rivalry redefines economic warfare, Europe scrambles for its dictionary
My report on the EU's struggle to define economic security, even as it prepares to launch yet another economic security initiative...
My report on the EU's struggle to define economic security, even as it prepares to launch yet another economic security initiative...
Before returning to hibernation, I want to share one of the most fascinating chats I had last year.
The great political theorist Ivan Krastev on why Europe feels disoriented, and how speed, psychology and habit matter as much as power in this moment.
The great political theorist Ivan Krastev on why Europe feels disoriented, and how speed, psychology and habit matter as much as power in this moment.
Open Questions | Political scientist Ivan Krastev on European vertigo in a post-American world
While melancholy Europe frets that the US and China will shape the future, middle powers are jostling for a place at the big table.
www.scmp.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Before returning to hibernation, I want to share one of the most fascinating chats I had last year.
The great political theorist Ivan Krastev on why Europe feels disoriented, and how speed, psychology and habit matter as much as power in this moment.
The great political theorist Ivan Krastev on why Europe feels disoriented, and how speed, psychology and habit matter as much as power in this moment.
What I enjoyed in 2025. New music and not so new books. Happy new year all.
December 31, 2025 at 2:12 PM
What I enjoyed in 2025. New music and not so new books. Happy new year all.
Filed my 159th (hopefully last!) story of 2025. Heading for a few weeks with family Down Under. Plan to avoid the news as much as possible. Digital detox required!
Thanks to all who read my work, listened to me waffle, or helped in any way this yr. Back mid-Jan. Happy Christmas!
Thanks to all who read my work, listened to me waffle, or helped in any way this yr. Back mid-Jan. Happy Christmas!
December 17, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Filed my 159th (hopefully last!) story of 2025. Heading for a few weeks with family Down Under. Plan to avoid the news as much as possible. Digital detox required!
Thanks to all who read my work, listened to me waffle, or helped in any way this yr. Back mid-Jan. Happy Christmas!
Thanks to all who read my work, listened to me waffle, or helped in any way this yr. Back mid-Jan. Happy Christmas!
China on Tuesday imposed final anti-dumping duties of up to 19.8% on pork imports from the European Union, a drop from preliminary tariffs of up to 62.4%.
China cuts EU pork tariffs in final ruling
China on Tuesday imposed final anti-dumping duties of up to 19.8% on pork imports from the European Union, a drop from preliminary tariffs of up to 62.4%.
www.reuters.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:14 AM
China on Tuesday imposed final anti-dumping duties of up to 19.8% on pork imports from the European Union, a drop from preliminary tariffs of up to 62.4%.
My first thought on seeing this: "I can't believe the Commission is encouraging officials to write first-draft policy using AI."
But then I remembered, having read countless indecipherable, barely readable policy documents, that it is in fact all-too believable
But then I remembered, having read countless indecipherable, barely readable policy documents, that it is in fact all-too believable
Bringing the disruption to Brussels: The European Commission encourages its managers to draft policy-making documents with AI, including "explaining/summarising legislative initiatives". According to a newly released Commission document, this will "boost your team's productivity". 🫢
December 15, 2025 at 12:29 PM
My first thought on seeing this: "I can't believe the Commission is encouraging officials to write first-draft policy using AI."
But then I remembered, having read countless indecipherable, barely readable policy documents, that it is in fact all-too believable
But then I remembered, having read countless indecipherable, barely readable policy documents, that it is in fact all-too believable
Also new: the EU "condemns" Chinese Coast Guard deploying water cannon and cutting anchor lines against Philippine fishing vessels
"EU calls... China to exercise restraint, refrain from use of force or coercion, resolve disputes peacefully, in full respect of international law"
"EU calls... China to exercise restraint, refrain from use of force or coercion, resolve disputes peacefully, in full respect of international law"
December 15, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Also new: the EU "condemns" Chinese Coast Guard deploying water cannon and cutting anchor lines against Philippine fishing vessels
"EU calls... China to exercise restraint, refrain from use of force or coercion, resolve disputes peacefully, in full respect of international law"
"EU calls... China to exercise restraint, refrain from use of force or coercion, resolve disputes peacefully, in full respect of international law"
New: EU slams verdict in Jimmy Lai trial as "politically motivated and emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in HK since the imposition of NSL in 2020"
"A free & independent media is vital for resilient societies and ensuring government accountability"
"A free & independent media is vital for resilient societies and ensuring government accountability"
December 15, 2025 at 12:08 PM
New: EU slams verdict in Jimmy Lai trial as "politically motivated and emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in HK since the imposition of NSL in 2020"
"A free & independent media is vital for resilient societies and ensuring government accountability"
"A free & independent media is vital for resilient societies and ensuring government accountability"
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels today - China is on the agenda. I wrote about growing anxiety over China's rising support for Russia on Friday. That'll form the crux of a lunchtime discussion. Given the sensitivity, no phones or aides permitted.
EU fears China’s role in Russia’s war on Ukraine is deepening
Multiple sources confirm increase in Beijing backing before China-Russia ties are discussed by ministers from the EU’s 27 members on Monday.
www.scmp.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:12 AM
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels today - China is on the agenda. I wrote about growing anxiety over China's rising support for Russia on Friday. That'll form the crux of a lunchtime discussion. Given the sensitivity, no phones or aides permitted.
Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, was convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city’s court on Monday, which could send him to prison for the rest of his life.
Former Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai convicted in landmark national security trial
Jimmy Lai, the former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, has been convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city’s court.
apnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, was convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city’s court on Monday, which could send him to prison for the rest of his life.
EU fears China’s role in Russia’s war on Ukraine is deepening
My report ahead of a sensitive discussion of foreign ministers on Monday
My report ahead of a sensitive discussion of foreign ministers on Monday
EU fears China’s role in Russia’s war on Ukraine is deepening
Multiple sources confirm increase in Beijing backing before China-Russia ties are discussed by ministers from the EU’s 27 members on Monday.
www.scmp.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:02 PM
EU fears China’s role in Russia’s war on Ukraine is deepening
My report ahead of a sensitive discussion of foreign ministers on Monday
My report ahead of a sensitive discussion of foreign ministers on Monday
CEO of Seat (owned by VW) is confident the EU will remove the 20.7% tariff on the Cupra line made in China "within a month or 2"
"We're aiming to get rid of the additional tariffs," Haupt said, with the goal of reaching an undertaking agreement instead
"We're aiming to get rid of the additional tariffs," Haupt said, with the goal of reaching an undertaking agreement instead
SEAT says EU's reversal of combustion-engine ban would help EV transition
The European Commission's expected decision to reverse its ban on selling new cars with combustion engines from 2035 will help Spanish automaker SEAT, a unit of Volkswagen , transition to electric vehicles, its CEO told Reuters on Friday.
www.reuters.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:39 PM
CEO of Seat (owned by VW) is confident the EU will remove the 20.7% tariff on the Cupra line made in China "within a month or 2"
"We're aiming to get rid of the additional tariffs," Haupt said, with the goal of reaching an undertaking agreement instead
"We're aiming to get rid of the additional tariffs," Haupt said, with the goal of reaching an undertaking agreement instead
Confirmation now of a €3 customs duty to be applied to e-commerce parcels from outside the EU that are worth under €150 from July 2026
No mention of China in the press release, but this is all about Temu, Shein, AliExpress. Postal services are overwhelmed by volume of packages
No mention of China in the press release, but this is all about Temu, Shein, AliExpress. Postal services are overwhelmed by volume of packages
December 12, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Confirmation now of a €3 customs duty to be applied to e-commerce parcels from outside the EU that are worth under €150 from July 2026
No mention of China in the press release, but this is all about Temu, Shein, AliExpress. Postal services are overwhelmed by volume of packages
No mention of China in the press release, but this is all about Temu, Shein, AliExpress. Postal services are overwhelmed by volume of packages
In Slovakia's new Indo Pacific strategy, Taiwan has been left off one of the maps.
Posted by Matej Šimalčík on LinkedIn @MatejSimalcik
Posted by Matej Šimalčík on LinkedIn @MatejSimalcik
December 11, 2025 at 8:21 PM
In Slovakia's new Indo Pacific strategy, Taiwan has been left off one of the maps.
Posted by Matej Šimalčík on LinkedIn @MatejSimalcik
Posted by Matej Šimalčík on LinkedIn @MatejSimalcik
Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart
Raids, probes, FDI screening, Nuctech, Temu, BYD, Deutsche Bahn, Macron, Wadephul...
It's all in here
Raids, probes, FDI screening, Nuctech, Temu, BYD, Deutsche Bahn, Macron, Wadephul...
It's all in here
Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart
Raids, probes and new screening rules collide with widening splits between Paris and Berlin over how tough to be on Beijing.
www.scmp.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart
Raids, probes, FDI screening, Nuctech, Temu, BYD, Deutsche Bahn, Macron, Wadephul...
It's all in here
Raids, probes, FDI screening, Nuctech, Temu, BYD, Deutsche Bahn, Macron, Wadephul...
It's all in here
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
Breaking: European Commission has opened an in-depth foreign subsidies investigation into Chinese security scanner company Nuctech's activities in the threat detection systems sector
This is an advancement of the probe launched last year, over which Nuctech sued the commission
This is an advancement of the probe launched last year, over which Nuctech sued the commission
December 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Breaking: European Commission has opened an in-depth foreign subsidies investigation into Chinese security scanner company Nuctech's activities in the threat detection systems sector
This is an advancement of the probe launched last year, over which Nuctech sued the commission
This is an advancement of the probe launched last year, over which Nuctech sued the commission
Yes, that'll help fight the rampant competition from China
The European Union is weighing a five-year delay to its effective ban on the combustion engine after heavy pressure from some of the region’s biggest automotive countries.
The European Union is weighing a five-year delay to its effective ban on the combustion engine after heavy pressure from some of the region’s biggest automotive countries.
EU Mulls Five-Year Reprieve for Hybrid Cars From Combustion Ban
The European Union is weighing a five-year delay to its effective ban on the combustion engine after heavy pressure from some of the region’s biggest automotive countries.
www.bloomberg.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Yes, that'll help fight the rampant competition from China
The European Union is weighing a five-year delay to its effective ban on the combustion engine after heavy pressure from some of the region’s biggest automotive countries.
The European Union is weighing a five-year delay to its effective ban on the combustion engine after heavy pressure from some of the region’s biggest automotive countries.
Deal this morning between Council and Parliament on upgrading the EU's inward FDI screening mechanism.
What's new:
1. Mandatory screening for dual use & military items, critical tech (AI, quantum, chips), critical minerals & infrastructure, electoral systems, some financial
What's new:
1. Mandatory screening for dual use & military items, critical tech (AI, quantum, chips), critical minerals & infrastructure, electoral systems, some financial
December 11, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Deal this morning between Council and Parliament on upgrading the EU's inward FDI screening mechanism.
What's new:
1. Mandatory screening for dual use & military items, critical tech (AI, quantum, chips), critical minerals & infrastructure, electoral systems, some financial
What's new:
1. Mandatory screening for dual use & military items, critical tech (AI, quantum, chips), critical minerals & infrastructure, electoral systems, some financial
De-risking with German characteristics:
Deutsche Bahn, state-owned rail company in Europe's automotive heartland, to buy 700 electric BYD buses
Unions angry: "The government owns the railway, we expect it to be serious about fighting for German jobs"
Deutsche Bahn, state-owned rail company in Europe's automotive heartland, to buy 700 electric BYD buses
Unions angry: "The government owns the railway, we expect it to be serious about fighting for German jobs"
DB’s China-sourced bus procurement sparks trade unions criticism amid calls for ‘economic patriotism, Der Spiegel reports - Sustainable Bus
A large Deutsche Bahn e-bus tender has ignited a political and labour backlash after BYD emerged as a key supplier, according to reporting...
www.sustainable-bus.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:36 AM
De-risking with German characteristics:
Deutsche Bahn, state-owned rail company in Europe's automotive heartland, to buy 700 electric BYD buses
Unions angry: "The government owns the railway, we expect it to be serious about fighting for German jobs"
Deutsche Bahn, state-owned rail company in Europe's automotive heartland, to buy 700 electric BYD buses
Unions angry: "The government owns the railway, we expect it to be serious about fighting for German jobs"
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
NEW: Iceland not to take part in Eurovision - RUV
December 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
NEW: Iceland not to take part in Eurovision - RUV
Wang Yi told a symposium of MFA bigwigs to "build a narrative system that's refreshing to the eyes & ears"
Per Trivium, "a tacit admission China’s storytelling isn’t landing well overseas"
He also called for the creation of a "Diplomatic Iron Army"
triviumchina.com/202...
Per Trivium, "a tacit admission China’s storytelling isn’t landing well overseas"
He also called for the creation of a "Diplomatic Iron Army"
triviumchina.com/202...
December 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Wang Yi told a symposium of MFA bigwigs to "build a narrative system that's refreshing to the eyes & ears"
Per Trivium, "a tacit admission China’s storytelling isn’t landing well overseas"
He also called for the creation of a "Diplomatic Iron Army"
triviumchina.com/202...
Per Trivium, "a tacit admission China’s storytelling isn’t landing well overseas"
He also called for the creation of a "Diplomatic Iron Army"
triviumchina.com/202...
Instagram post by German foreign minister Wadephul
He winks at the camera, under a caption "Nobody wants to meet Wadephul in China". Cut to a showreel of meetings with Wang Wentao, Wang Yi, Han Zheng, Zhao Leji
The victorious Wadephul bathing in the glory of a few meetings 💪
He winks at the camera, under a caption "Nobody wants to meet Wadephul in China". Cut to a showreel of meetings with Wang Wentao, Wang Yi, Han Zheng, Zhao Leji
The victorious Wadephul bathing in the glory of a few meetings 💪
December 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Instagram post by German foreign minister Wadephul
He winks at the camera, under a caption "Nobody wants to meet Wadephul in China". Cut to a showreel of meetings with Wang Wentao, Wang Yi, Han Zheng, Zhao Leji
The victorious Wadephul bathing in the glory of a few meetings 💪
He winks at the camera, under a caption "Nobody wants to meet Wadephul in China". Cut to a showreel of meetings with Wang Wentao, Wang Yi, Han Zheng, Zhao Leji
The victorious Wadephul bathing in the glory of a few meetings 💪
European tech firm helping China turn low-grade bauxite – once considered waste – into high-quality feedstock for aluminium
“We're not saying we'll eliminate all imports, but we can rebalance"
Great reporting by my colleague @hollycwchik in Shanxi
“We're not saying we'll eliminate all imports, but we can rebalance"
Great reporting by my colleague @hollycwchik in Shanxi
How China pulled off a critical mineral tech revolution in just 10 months
‘Unique’ Chinese efficiency turns European firm’s vision into reality by building the world’s first large-scale silica-removal technology.
www.scmp.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:45 AM
European tech firm helping China turn low-grade bauxite – once considered waste – into high-quality feedstock for aluminium
“We're not saying we'll eliminate all imports, but we can rebalance"
Great reporting by my colleague @hollycwchik in Shanxi
“We're not saying we'll eliminate all imports, but we can rebalance"
Great reporting by my colleague @hollycwchik in Shanxi
A rare EU statement in Chinese for International Human Rights Day
"There's been no substantial improvement in China's overall human rights situation"
Says systemic restrictions on minority groups' rights to enjoy their own culture and language... risk erasure of their cultures"
"There's been no substantial improvement in China's overall human rights situation"
Says systemic restrictions on minority groups' rights to enjoy their own culture and language... risk erasure of their cultures"
December 10, 2025 at 7:20 AM
A rare EU statement in Chinese for International Human Rights Day
"There's been no substantial improvement in China's overall human rights situation"
Says systemic restrictions on minority groups' rights to enjoy their own culture and language... risk erasure of their cultures"
"There's been no substantial improvement in China's overall human rights situation"
Says systemic restrictions on minority groups' rights to enjoy their own culture and language... risk erasure of their cultures"
Franco-German axis pulling in opposite directions on China
Paris: Europeans will be forced to take strong measures and to de-cooperate, following the example of the US
Berlin: Such measures should only be considered as a last resort and we should be extremely cautious
Paris: Europeans will be forced to take strong measures and to de-cooperate, following the example of the US
Berlin: Such measures should only be considered as a last resort and we should be extremely cautious
December 9, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Franco-German axis pulling in opposite directions on China
Paris: Europeans will be forced to take strong measures and to de-cooperate, following the example of the US
Berlin: Such measures should only be considered as a last resort and we should be extremely cautious
Paris: Europeans will be forced to take strong measures and to de-cooperate, following the example of the US
Berlin: Such measures should only be considered as a last resort and we should be extremely cautious