European Union

A body blow to Putin’s “dirty fleet”
It’s the near-miss that has shocked Brussels into action.Drifting helplessly in the Baltic Sea with 100,000 tonnes of oil in its holds, the Panama-flagged tanker Eventin was a…

Meta power move is about more than fact checking
A global tech war is not just semiconductors and AI, but also shared facts, the challenges of foreign interference, and treatment of women. Announcements last week by social media…

Has the time finally come for a European defence?
Within minutes of the announcement of Donald Trump’s second presidential victory, debates on European defence – which are as old as the European project itself – reemerged as…

The ripple effects of EU deforestation laws in Southeast Asia
Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, is at the forefront of a regulatory storm. The country’s palm oil industry faces significant disruptions due to the European…

Charging up: Europe’s bid for renewable energy independence
Last week saw another step-change in the global lithium market. The ultimate destination is more independence from China in the production of this critical mineral, the “white…

Good vibes only: Can Starmer make the European Political Community work?
After a cold and wet start to the summer, the United Kingdom basked in glorious sunshine last week as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed European leaders to Blenheim…

A weaker Europe on China – at the worst time
Murmurs of trade war are getting louder. Not just between China and the United States should Donald Trump be re-elected, but also between China and Europe. Now more than ever it’s…

What next for UK trade relations with the EU?
In line with its cautious approach, UK Labour said very little of note on the European Union during the recent election campaign. However, Sir Keir Starmer did state unequivocally…

Tariffs, data security and global collaboration: Navigating the geopolitics of electric vehicles
Tariffs have long been wielded as a tool of economic warfare, a means to undercut the advantages of rivals’ exports. The spotlight of global trade disputes has most recently swung…

Is the EU Australia’s blind spot in the Indo-Pacific?
Seen from Australia, the European Union may seem very distant and somehow disconnected from the Indo-Pacific. Yet, the strategic space in which Australia and the European Union…