Henry Foy
@henryjfoy.ft.com
Brussels Bureau Chief, Financial Times.
Past lives in Moscow, Warsaw, London, Delhi and Mumbai.
Get in touch henry.foy@ft.com
https://www.ft.com/henry-foy
Past lives in Moscow, Warsaw, London, Delhi and Mumbai.
Get in touch henry.foy@ft.com
https://www.ft.com/henry-foy
Reposted by Henry Foy
The EU needs to stand behind its digital rule book and green standards while deepening the single market to ensure the EU remained competitive in a global economic race, said the bloc’s competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/c975fe85-2...
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/c975fe85-2...
EU will lose ‘race to the bottom’ on regulation, says competition chief
[FREE TO READ] Teresa Ribera says Europe’s competitiveness depends on resisting calls to roll back rules
as.ft.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The EU needs to stand behind its digital rule book and green standards while deepening the single market to ensure the EU remained competitive in a global economic race, said the bloc’s competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/c975fe85-2...
With @henryjfoy.ft.com
as.ft.com/r/c975fe85-2...
“If the EU is to be more effective and decisive it may need to resort to action through coalitions of the willing rather than all members in some areas… A weak and indecisive EU that is incapable of shaping its future will only embolden its foes — both within and without”
as.ft.com/r/6106b5ad-5...
as.ft.com/r/6106b5ad-5...
Europe needs strategic purpose matched with action
[FREE TO READ] A €90bn Ukraine loan should mark the beginning of a more decisive and ambitious EU
as.ft.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
“If the EU is to be more effective and decisive it may need to resort to action through coalitions of the willing rather than all members in some areas… A weak and indecisive EU that is incapable of shaping its future will only embolden its foes — both within and without”
as.ft.com/r/6106b5ad-5...
as.ft.com/r/6106b5ad-5...
“Macron betrayed Merz, and he knows that there will be a price to pay for that,” said one EU diplomat. “But he’s so weak that he had no other choice but to fold in behind Giorgia Meloni”
How the Franco-German ‘engine’ completely broke down, w @chassnews.bsky.social
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How the Franco-German ‘engine’ completely broke down, w @chassnews.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/6aa18090-e...
Role reversal: how foot-dragging France blindsided newly assertive Berlin
[FREE TO READ] As Friedrich Merz pushed to finalise a deal on Russian frozen assets, it became clear that he was missing one key ally
as.ft.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:36 AM
“Macron betrayed Merz, and he knows that there will be a price to pay for that,” said one EU diplomat. “But he’s so weak that he had no other choice but to fold in behind Giorgia Meloni”
How the Franco-German ‘engine’ completely broke down, w @chassnews.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/6aa18090-e...
How the Franco-German ‘engine’ completely broke down, w @chassnews.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/6aa18090-e...
💥 EU to give €90bn loan to Ukraine - to be borrowed against bloc’s shared budget after plan to draw on Russian frozen assets collapses
as.ft.com/r/ae829939-1...
as.ft.com/r/ae829939-1...
EU to give €90bn loan to Ukraine
[FREE TO READ] Money to be borrowed against bloc’s shared budget after plan to draw on Russian frozen assets collapses
as.ft.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:44 AM
💥 EU to give €90bn loan to Ukraine - to be borrowed against bloc’s shared budget after plan to draw on Russian frozen assets collapses
as.ft.com/r/ae829939-1...
as.ft.com/r/ae829939-1...
Senior EU officials met De Wever and Belgian officials on Wednesday with negotiations running late into the night. They made progress on legal guarantees, but sticking points remain on liquidity provisions and protection for Euroclear assets in Russia and third countries.
as.ft.com/r/5ca78626-7...
as.ft.com/r/5ca78626-7...
EU leaders vow to agree funding for Ukraine
[FREE TO READ] Volodymyr Zelenskyy joins summit in Brussels pressuring Belgium to drop its opposition to using Russia’s frozen assets
as.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Senior EU officials met De Wever and Belgian officials on Wednesday with negotiations running late into the night. They made progress on legal guarantees, but sticking points remain on liquidity provisions and protection for Euroclear assets in Russia and third countries.
as.ft.com/r/5ca78626-7...
as.ft.com/r/5ca78626-7...
“Everyone thought they would quickly destroy Russia. The European swine immediately joined in... hoping to make a killing,” said Putin, adding that Moscow could resume diplomacy “if not with the current politicians, then when the political elites in Europe are replaced”
as.ft.com/r/f4694cb4-2...
as.ft.com/r/f4694cb4-2...
Vladimir Putin predicts European ‘swine’ backing Ukraine will lose power
[FREE TO READ] Russian president vows to liberate ‘historic lands’ in hardline speech, showing no signs of compromise on invasion goals
as.ft.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
“Everyone thought they would quickly destroy Russia. The European swine immediately joined in... hoping to make a killing,” said Putin, adding that Moscow could resume diplomacy “if not with the current politicians, then when the political elites in Europe are replaced”
as.ft.com/r/f4694cb4-2...
as.ft.com/r/f4694cb4-2...
Reposted by Henry Foy
French President Macron wrote an op-ed on EU-China relations. Tone is firm but leaves a lot of space for cooperation and resolving disputes, and comes with a clear push for Europe doing more at home. Already sets the scene for French G7 presidency next year.
www.ft.com/content/c8fd...
www.ft.com/content/c8fd...
We urgently need to rebalance EU-China relations
Resolving serious trade imbalances will require co-operation and co-ordinated action
www.ft.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:35 AM
French President Macron wrote an op-ed on EU-China relations. Tone is firm but leaves a lot of space for cooperation and resolving disputes, and comes with a clear push for Europe doing more at home. Already sets the scene for French G7 presidency next year.
www.ft.com/content/c8fd...
www.ft.com/content/c8fd...
At a crunch leaders meeting in Berlin, Giorgia Meloni was sat at Zelenskyy’s elbow and cast as a core European player.
Her fellow leaders hope that message sunk in as the Italian Premier weighs up her position on two key issues this week where she holds a casting vote
as.ft.com/r/abbf787e-e...
Her fellow leaders hope that message sunk in as the Italian Premier weighs up her position on two key issues this week where she holds a casting vote
as.ft.com/r/abbf787e-e...
Giorgia Meloni’s European moment comes with a price
[FREE TO READ] Italy’s enigmatic leader holds a casting vote this week on two crucial issues for the EU
as.ft.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:20 AM
At a crunch leaders meeting in Berlin, Giorgia Meloni was sat at Zelenskyy’s elbow and cast as a core European player.
Her fellow leaders hope that message sunk in as the Italian Premier weighs up her position on two key issues this week where she holds a casting vote
as.ft.com/r/abbf787e-e...
Her fellow leaders hope that message sunk in as the Italian Premier weighs up her position on two key issues this week where she holds a casting vote
as.ft.com/r/abbf787e-e...
The EU has three very big decisions to make this week.
On its combustion engine ban, on the Mercosur trade deal, and on the Ukraine financing loan.
One down, two to go
Germany's Friedrich Merz got his way on the first, and if he ends up winning all three, Brussels will have a Merry Christmas...
On its combustion engine ban, on the Mercosur trade deal, and on the Ukraine financing loan.
One down, two to go
Germany's Friedrich Merz got his way on the first, and if he ends up winning all three, Brussels will have a Merry Christmas...
NEW: Final talks are still ongoing but we have it confirmed by officials that the EU will scrap its combustion engine ban and instead allow carmakers a small amount of emissions so long as they meet certain conditions such as using green steel
www.ft.com/content/0e16...
www.ft.com/content/0e16...
Brussels plans to scrap 2035 combustion engine ban
Carmakers will be allowed to make a limited number of petrol and diesel-fuelled cars after deadline
www.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The EU has three very big decisions to make this week.
On its combustion engine ban, on the Mercosur trade deal, and on the Ukraine financing loan.
One down, two to go
Germany's Friedrich Merz got his way on the first, and if he ends up winning all three, Brussels will have a Merry Christmas...
On its combustion engine ban, on the Mercosur trade deal, and on the Ukraine financing loan.
One down, two to go
Germany's Friedrich Merz got his way on the first, and if he ends up winning all three, Brussels will have a Merry Christmas...
Agree Mercosur trade deal or give up on the EU’s global reputation as a reliable partner, Brussels’ trade chief @marossefcovic.bsky.social tells @financialtimes.com
“This is a matter of the credibility and predictability of the EU” he warned
w @andybounds.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/ca5324d2-b...
“This is a matter of the credibility and predictability of the EU” he warned
w @andybounds.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/ca5324d2-b...
EU will lose face if it rejects Mercosur deal, warns trade commissioner
[FREE TO READ] Maroš Šefčovič says bloc must not delay vote on pact with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
as.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Agree Mercosur trade deal or give up on the EU’s global reputation as a reliable partner, Brussels’ trade chief @marossefcovic.bsky.social tells @financialtimes.com
“This is a matter of the credibility and predictability of the EU” he warned
w @andybounds.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/ca5324d2-b...
“This is a matter of the credibility and predictability of the EU” he warned
w @andybounds.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/ca5324d2-b...
Reposted by Henry Foy
New: Ukraine would be earmarked to join the EU by 2027 under a fast-tracked proposal being discussed in US-brokered negotiations to end Russia’s war, in a move that would rewrite the bloc’s accession procedures.
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com @maxseddon.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/e504...
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com @maxseddon.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/e504...
Ukraine would join EU by 2027 under draft peace plan
Fast-track entry to bloc being discussed by US and Ukrainian officials backed by Brussels in drive to end Russia’s war
www.ft.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:29 PM
New: Ukraine would be earmarked to join the EU by 2027 under a fast-tracked proposal being discussed in US-brokered negotiations to end Russia’s war, in a move that would rewrite the bloc’s accession procedures.
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com @maxseddon.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/e504...
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com @maxseddon.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/e504...
Reposted by Henry Foy
New FSR raid targeting China’s Temu. Likely a sign of things to come from a Commission that is promising to use its tools in a more proactive manner
www.ft.com/content/657c...
www.ft.com/content/657c...
Brussels raids Temu in foreign subsidy investigation
‘Unannounced inspection’ comes as European Commission steps up efforts against Chinese online retailers
www.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
New FSR raid targeting China’s Temu. Likely a sign of things to come from a Commission that is promising to use its tools in a more proactive manner
www.ft.com/content/657c...
www.ft.com/content/657c...
Also - here's the one chart you need to understand why the EU economy is uncompetitive, and why a single, unified capital market to drive investment, innovation and output is a mirage
Look at the state of that!
From the latest in our Who Killed the Single Market? series
as.ft.com/r/480627a5-a...
Look at the state of that!
From the latest in our Who Killed the Single Market? series
as.ft.com/r/480627a5-a...
December 10, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Also - here's the one chart you need to understand why the EU economy is uncompetitive, and why a single, unified capital market to drive investment, innovation and output is a mirage
Look at the state of that!
From the latest in our Who Killed the Single Market? series
as.ft.com/r/480627a5-a...
Look at the state of that!
From the latest in our Who Killed the Single Market? series
as.ft.com/r/480627a5-a...
💥 EU to fast-track indefinite freezing of Russian assets through emergency powers in the coming days, in an effort to bypass pro-Kremlin Viktor Orbán before 27 bloc leaders sit down to hash out Ukraine support loan
latest in the saga w loan shark @paolatamma.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/d9da3ec9-e...
latest in the saga w loan shark @paolatamma.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/d9da3ec9-e...
EU races to bypass Viktor Orbán on Russian assets before summit
[FREE TO READ] Move to outvote Hungary this week would indefinitely immobilise Moscow’s sovereign assets
as.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM
💥 EU to fast-track indefinite freezing of Russian assets through emergency powers in the coming days, in an effort to bypass pro-Kremlin Viktor Orbán before 27 bloc leaders sit down to hash out Ukraine support loan
latest in the saga w loan shark @paolatamma.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/d9da3ec9-e...
latest in the saga w loan shark @paolatamma.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/d9da3ec9-e...
Reposted by Henry Foy
New: Under immense pressure, Zelensky told European counterparts he'd been pressed to take a swift decision on the US peace plan by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Trump is hoping for a final deal agreed “by Christmas”.
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/ea36...
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/ea36...
Trump gives Zelenskyy ‘days’ to respond to peace proposal
Ukrainian president pressed by US envoys for a swift response with an aim to agree ceasefire with Russia ‘by Christmas’
www.ft.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
New: Under immense pressure, Zelensky told European counterparts he'd been pressed to take a swift decision on the US peace plan by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Trump is hoping for a final deal agreed “by Christmas”.
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/ea36...
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/ea36...
Reposted by Henry Foy
New: Zelenskyy told European leaders he feared the EU would drop a plan for a “reparations loan” to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian central bank assets, mainly over fears of upsetting Trump and losing support on Euro defence and security guarantees. w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/ea36...
www.ft.com/content/ea36...
Trump gives Zelenskyy ‘days’ to respond to peace proposal
Ukrainian president pressed by US envoys for a swift response with an aim to agree ceasefire with Russia ‘by Christmas’
www.ft.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
New: Zelenskyy told European leaders he feared the EU would drop a plan for a “reparations loan” to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian central bank assets, mainly over fears of upsetting Trump and losing support on Euro defence and security guarantees. w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/ea36...
www.ft.com/content/ea36...
Reposted by Henry Foy
So weird and injustified… but so clearly said.
I am sorry for so many great US citizens and their great commitment to a peaceful better world.
www.ft.com/content/ccbe...
I am sorry for so many great US citizens and their great commitment to a peaceful better world.
www.ft.com/content/ccbe...
Maga’s strange rage against Europe
The cradle of western civilisation is wrongly accused of betraying it
www.ft.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:44 PM
So weird and injustified… but so clearly said.
I am sorry for so many great US citizens and their great commitment to a peaceful better world.
www.ft.com/content/ccbe...
I am sorry for so many great US citizens and their great commitment to a peaceful better world.
www.ft.com/content/ccbe...
“If you ask me if we’re driving straight into a wall, then the answer is yes,” said one senior EU official of the proposal.
Proposal to use controversial emergency powers to tap Russia's immobilised assets marks last-ditch bid to keep Kyiv solvent
w @bmoens.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f1d8ffd1-b...
Proposal to use controversial emergency powers to tap Russia's immobilised assets marks last-ditch bid to keep Kyiv solvent
w @bmoens.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f1d8ffd1-b...
Europe exhausts legal tricks on frozen Russian assets
[FREE TO READ] Proposal marks a last-ditch attempt to keep Ukraine solvent using Moscow’s immobilised wealth
as.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:17 AM
“If you ask me if we’re driving straight into a wall, then the answer is yes,” said one senior EU official of the proposal.
Proposal to use controversial emergency powers to tap Russia's immobilised assets marks last-ditch bid to keep Kyiv solvent
w @bmoens.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f1d8ffd1-b...
Proposal to use controversial emergency powers to tap Russia's immobilised assets marks last-ditch bid to keep Kyiv solvent
w @bmoens.bsky.social
as.ft.com/r/f1d8ffd1-b...
Big - Brussels proposes to use “emergency” powers to ram through Russian assets loan to Ukraine and bypass potential sanctions vetoes, in what would be an extraordinary moment in EU legal evolution
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as.ft.com/r/0c2cd7f4-b...
Brussels floats ‘emergency’ powers to raise €210bn from Russian assets
[FREE TO READ] Contentious proposal to fund Ukraine would mark watershed moment for EU
as.ft.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Big - Brussels proposes to use “emergency” powers to ram through Russian assets loan to Ukraine and bypass potential sanctions vetoes, in what would be an extraordinary moment in EU legal evolution
as.ft.com/r/0c2cd7f4-b...
as.ft.com/r/0c2cd7f4-b...
💥 The ECB has refused to backstop a proposed €140bn EU loan to Ukraine - a critical part of the scheme involving frozen Russian assets, officials tell @financialtimes.com. The latest blow to the reparations loan has forced the Commission to search for another liquidity provider
on.ft.com/4aoHOuE
on.ft.com/4aoHOuE
ECB refuses to provide backstop for €140bn Ukraine loan
[FREE TO READ] Central bank rejects role in European Commission proposal that would use frozen Russian assets
on.ft.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:28 AM
💥 The ECB has refused to backstop a proposed €140bn EU loan to Ukraine - a critical part of the scheme involving frozen Russian assets, officials tell @financialtimes.com. The latest blow to the reparations loan has forced the Commission to search for another liquidity provider
on.ft.com/4aoHOuE
on.ft.com/4aoHOuE
Reposted by Henry Foy
An incredibly interesting piece, by @henryjfoy.ft.com et al., on stalled economic integration in the EU. Failure to pursue the common good means we punch below our weight economically, yielding leadership to the US. We need more integration and more unity, even for the single market!
Who killed Europe’s single market dream?
A decades-long effort to tear down internal trade barriers has stalled, leaving the EU economy ‘tagging along behind’
www.ft.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:08 AM
An incredibly interesting piece, by @henryjfoy.ft.com et al., on stalled economic integration in the EU. Failure to pursue the common good means we punch below our weight economically, yielding leadership to the US. We need more integration and more unity, even for the single market!
Reposted by Henry Foy
Who killed the EU's single market dream? 🇪🇺
Part 1 in a new FT series from Sam Fleming, Ben Hall and @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/cbfd...
Part 1 in a new FT series from Sam Fleming, Ben Hall and @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/cbfd...
Who killed Europe’s single market dream?
A decades-long effort to tear down internal trade barriers has stalled, leaving the EU economy ‘tagging along behind’
www.ft.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Who killed the EU's single market dream? 🇪🇺
Part 1 in a new FT series from Sam Fleming, Ben Hall and @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/cbfd...
Part 1 in a new FT series from Sam Fleming, Ben Hall and @henryjfoy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/cbfd...
“I still believe that politicians will realise the huge potential of this project as a destination, as a landmark for Brussels. Abandoning Kanal now would amount to cultural suicide.”
Brussels' political ineptitude threatens the city's ambitious arts dream
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Brussels' political ineptitude threatens the city's ambitious arts dream
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘Is this doable?’: why political paralysis threatens an ambitious Brussels arts complex
Kanal is 95% complete and on schedule but plans to slash its budget mean conversation around its opening have moved from ‘when’ to ‘if’
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:51 AM
“I still believe that politicians will realise the huge potential of this project as a destination, as a landmark for Brussels. Abandoning Kanal now would amount to cultural suicide.”
Brussels' political ineptitude threatens the city's ambitious arts dream
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Brussels' political ineptitude threatens the city's ambitious arts dream
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
💥 Belgium PM De Wever claims EU plan to use Russian assets to fund Ukraine will derail peace effort in private letter to @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu seen by FT, in strongest attempt yet to block €140bn financing proposal supported by most EU states
Scoop by @paolatamma.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4pAdW2L
Scoop by @paolatamma.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4pAdW2L
Belgium says using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine will endanger a peace deal
[FREE TO READ] Premier Bart De Wever sets out conditions that would resolve his objections to a proposed €140bn EU loan to Kyiv
on.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:37 PM
💥 Belgium PM De Wever claims EU plan to use Russian assets to fund Ukraine will derail peace effort in private letter to @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu seen by FT, in strongest attempt yet to block €140bn financing proposal supported by most EU states
Scoop by @paolatamma.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4pAdW2L
Scoop by @paolatamma.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4pAdW2L
Europe must be a rulemaker, not a rule-taker, writes EU competition and climate chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu for @financialtimes.com, warning that outsourcing EU environmental and economic strategy would be an act of economic and social self-harm
on.ft.com/49IPUOE
on.ft.com/49IPUOE
Europe must be a rulemaker, not a rule-taker
[FREE TO READ] Outsourcing EU environmental and economic strategy would be an act of self-harm
on.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Europe must be a rulemaker, not a rule-taker, writes EU competition and climate chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu for @financialtimes.com, warning that outsourcing EU environmental and economic strategy would be an act of economic and social self-harm
on.ft.com/49IPUOE
on.ft.com/49IPUOE