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...
German Mittelstand in turmoil after breaking taboo on meeting far-right
The Association of Family Businesses quietly invited the AfD to a networking event then declared that it no longer wanted to isolate it.
The Association of Family Businesses quietly invited the AfD to a networking event then declared that it no longer wanted to isolate it.
German Mittelstand in turmoil after breaking taboo on meeting far-right
Family business association loses some members, including drugstore chain Rossman, after engaging with AfD
www.ft.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:07 PM
German Mittelstand in turmoil after breaking taboo on meeting far-right
The Association of Family Businesses quietly invited the AfD to a networking event then declared that it no longer wanted to isolate it.
The Association of Family Businesses quietly invited the AfD to a networking event then declared that it no longer wanted to isolate it.
The owner of a major Chinese drone parts supplier has taken a stake in one of Russia’s leading drone companies, highlighting a deepening relationship between Moscow and Beijing’s military-industrial complexes.
on.ft.com/3MueoBn
on.ft.com/3MueoBn
November 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The owner of a major Chinese drone parts supplier has taken a stake in one of Russia’s leading drone companies, highlighting a deepening relationship between Moscow and Beijing’s military-industrial complexes.
on.ft.com/3MueoBn
on.ft.com/3MueoBn
An honour to experience one of Ireland's great cultural sites.
As classy as I expected.
As classy as I expected.
November 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
An honour to experience one of Ireland's great cultural sites.
As classy as I expected.
As classy as I expected.
Brighton in hot water in China
"Chinese fans vehemently criticized the club for glorifying a war criminal Onoda, who refused to surrender even after Japan’s defeat, hiding in the Philippine jungle for 30 yrs"
Late entry to @ninedragons.bsky.social Nov quarrel thread
www.chosun.com/english/spor...
"Chinese fans vehemently criticized the club for glorifying a war criminal Onoda, who refused to surrender even after Japan’s defeat, hiding in the Philippine jungle for 30 yrs"
Late entry to @ninedragons.bsky.social Nov quarrel thread
www.chosun.com/english/spor...
November 29, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Brighton in hot water in China
"Chinese fans vehemently criticized the club for glorifying a war criminal Onoda, who refused to surrender even after Japan’s defeat, hiding in the Philippine jungle for 30 yrs"
Late entry to @ninedragons.bsky.social Nov quarrel thread
www.chosun.com/english/spor...
"Chinese fans vehemently criticized the club for glorifying a war criminal Onoda, who refused to surrender even after Japan’s defeat, hiding in the Philippine jungle for 30 yrs"
Late entry to @ninedragons.bsky.social Nov quarrel thread
www.chosun.com/english/spor...
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
White smoke from Berlin: the coalition has agreed to tie new car purchase incentives to European preference rules - and work to align them across the EU.
A very smart move as @sandertordoir.bsky.social, @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social and I have argued here:
www.delorscentre.eu/fileadmin/2_...
A very smart move as @sandertordoir.bsky.social, @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social and I have argued here:
www.delorscentre.eu/fileadmin/2_...
November 28, 2025 at 10:12 AM
White smoke from Berlin: the coalition has agreed to tie new car purchase incentives to European preference rules - and work to align them across the EU.
A very smart move as @sandertordoir.bsky.social, @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social and I have argued here:
www.delorscentre.eu/fileadmin/2_...
A very smart move as @sandertordoir.bsky.social, @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social and I have argued here:
www.delorscentre.eu/fileadmin/2_...
Would be quite something if Europe's antitrust regulators blocked CK Hutchison's Spanish port sales to Blackrock / MSC
Reuters says a probe is in the works. Remember this came out of the Panama Canal saga earlier this year (feels like a lifetime ago)
Reuters says a probe is in the works. Remember this came out of the Panama Canal saga earlier this year (feels like a lifetime ago)
Exclusive: MSC, BlackRock bid for Hutchison's Barcelona terminal faces EU probe, source says
BlackRock and MSC's bid for most of CK Hutchison's global port operations faces a hurdle in Europe with EU antitrust regulators set to investigate the Spanish portion of the deal, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Would be quite something if Europe's antitrust regulators blocked CK Hutchison's Spanish port sales to Blackrock / MSC
Reuters says a probe is in the works. Remember this came out of the Panama Canal saga earlier this year (feels like a lifetime ago)
Reuters says a probe is in the works. Remember this came out of the Panama Canal saga earlier this year (feels like a lifetime ago)
Nexperia NL sent an open letter to Nexperia China
Says the Chinese arm is ghosting it. Urges cooperation to "restore predictable, established supply flows without delay"
Next step: restore joint corporate governance "adhering to lawful instructions from Nexperia BV global mgmt"
Says the Chinese arm is ghosting it. Urges cooperation to "restore predictable, established supply flows without delay"
Next step: restore joint corporate governance "adhering to lawful instructions from Nexperia BV global mgmt"
November 27, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Nexperia NL sent an open letter to Nexperia China
Says the Chinese arm is ghosting it. Urges cooperation to "restore predictable, established supply flows without delay"
Next step: restore joint corporate governance "adhering to lawful instructions from Nexperia BV global mgmt"
Says the Chinese arm is ghosting it. Urges cooperation to "restore predictable, established supply flows without delay"
Next step: restore joint corporate governance "adhering to lawful instructions from Nexperia BV global mgmt"
New: von der Leyen will NOT be accompanying Macron on his trip to China next week
This is a break with recent tradition, when VDL and before her Juncker has been involved in Macron's dealings with Xi Jinping
Story to follow with @XIAOFEIXU
This is a break with recent tradition, when VDL and before her Juncker has been involved in Macron's dealings with Xi Jinping
Story to follow with @XIAOFEIXU
November 27, 2025 at 5:09 PM
New: von der Leyen will NOT be accompanying Macron on his trip to China next week
This is a break with recent tradition, when VDL and before her Juncker has been involved in Macron's dealings with Xi Jinping
Story to follow with @XIAOFEIXU
This is a break with recent tradition, when VDL and before her Juncker has been involved in Macron's dealings with Xi Jinping
Story to follow with @XIAOFEIXU
Heartbreaking images and news from the tragic fire in Hong Kong.
At 75, the death toll has now exceeded that of Grenfell
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
At 75, the death toll has now exceeded that of Grenfell
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 75 as survivor found on stairs of building
Many still missing while grief-stricken mother says she lost her baby in the fire.
www.scmp.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Heartbreaking images and news from the tragic fire in Hong Kong.
At 75, the death toll has now exceeded that of Grenfell
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
At 75, the death toll has now exceeded that of Grenfell
www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Europe’s antitrust chief Teresa Ribera has unleashed a blistering attack on Trump administration, accusing Washington of using “blackmail” to strong-arm the EU into watering down its tech rules
“It is blackmail,” the Spanish commissioner told POLITICO
“It is blackmail,” the Spanish commissioner told POLITICO
Top EU official accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks
Renewed U.S. pressure for the EU to recalibrate its digital rules is unacceptable, says Teresa Ribera.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Europe’s antitrust chief Teresa Ribera has unleashed a blistering attack on Trump administration, accusing Washington of using “blackmail” to strong-arm the EU into watering down its tech rules
“It is blackmail,” the Spanish commissioner told POLITICO
“It is blackmail,” the Spanish commissioner told POLITICO
I hear Keir Starmer is to give a big China speech Monday.
Understand he'll talk tough, but my guess is he'll use that to announce the Chinese embassy green light and his visit to China reportedly planned for January,
Understand he'll talk tough, but my guess is he'll use that to announce the Chinese embassy green light and his visit to China reportedly planned for January,
November 27, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I hear Keir Starmer is to give a big China speech Monday.
Understand he'll talk tough, but my guess is he'll use that to announce the Chinese embassy green light and his visit to China reportedly planned for January,
Understand he'll talk tough, but my guess is he'll use that to announce the Chinese embassy green light and his visit to China reportedly planned for January,
CATL started building Spain's largest battery factory on Wednesday, a €4.1bn project with Stellantis that highlights Europe's reliance on Chinese technology
The plant is backed by over €300mn in EU funds and expected to begin production late 2026.
The plant is backed by over €300mn in EU funds and expected to begin production late 2026.
China battery maker CATL breaks ground on Spanish plant, bringing its own workers
By Victoria Waldersee FIGUERUELAS, Spain (Reuters) -Chinese battery maker CATL started building Spain's largest battery factory on Wednesday, a 4.1-billion-euro ($4.8 billion) project with Stellantis
uk.finance.yahoo.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:10 AM
CATL started building Spain's largest battery factory on Wednesday, a €4.1bn project with Stellantis that highlights Europe's reliance on Chinese technology
The plant is backed by over €300mn in EU funds and expected to begin production late 2026.
The plant is backed by over €300mn in EU funds and expected to begin production late 2026.
After his call with Xi, Trump told Takaichi not to provoke Beijing on the question of Taiwan’s sovereignty. Japanese officials said the message was worrying
Exclusive | Trump, After Call With China’s Xi, Told Tokyo to Lower the Volume on Taiwan
Japan, a U.S. ally that had angered China on Taiwan, found the message worrying.
www.wsj.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:23 AM
After his call with Xi, Trump told Takaichi not to provoke Beijing on the question of Taiwan’s sovereignty. Japanese officials said the message was worrying
36 dead, 279 missing in huge Hong Kong fire; 3 arrested for alleged manslaughter
Horrible. SCMP masthead has been greyed out - such tragic news.
Horrible. SCMP masthead has been greyed out - such tragic news.
November 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
36 dead, 279 missing in huge Hong Kong fire; 3 arrested for alleged manslaughter
Horrible. SCMP masthead has been greyed out - such tragic news.
Horrible. SCMP masthead has been greyed out - such tragic news.
Macron to visit China next week - will von der Leyen join him as has become the norm?
The three-day visit is scheduled to begin on December 3, with two stops in Beijing and Chengdu
The three-day visit is scheduled to begin on December 3, with two stops in Beijing and Chengdu
France’s Emmanuel Macron to meet Xi Jinping during China trip next week
French president will meet his Chinese counterpart as part of a three-day visit from December 3, with two stops in Beijing and Chengdu.
www.scmp.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Macron to visit China next week - will von der Leyen join him as has become the norm?
The three-day visit is scheduled to begin on December 3, with two stops in Beijing and Chengdu
The three-day visit is scheduled to begin on December 3, with two stops in Beijing and Chengdu
ASML incurred the wrath of the US in 2023 by selling more chip machines to China than agreed upon in a 'gentlemen's agreement' between the Netherlands and the United States. The Dutch government felt humiliated in front of the US and misled by ASML
‘ASML schond in 2023 herenakkoord tussen VS en Nederland’
Het Veldhovense bedrijf verkocht veel meer chipmachines aan China dan Nederland en de VS hadden afgesproken. De twee landen voelden zich misleid door ASML, zo blijkt uit een nieuw boek.
fd.nl
November 26, 2025 at 7:14 AM
ASML incurred the wrath of the US in 2023 by selling more chip machines to China than agreed upon in a 'gentlemen's agreement' between the Netherlands and the United States. The Dutch government felt humiliated in front of the US and misled by ASML
Doesn't seem like great news for Germany
Volkswagen has said it can produce an electric vehicle entirely made in China for half the cost of doing so elsewhere, as the German automaker fights to reclaim its share in the world’s biggest market.
Volkswagen has said it can produce an electric vehicle entirely made in China for half the cost of doing so elsewhere, as the German automaker fights to reclaim its share in the world’s biggest market.
VW says it can halve EV development costs with ‘Made in China’ car
German automaker is seeking to reclaim share in the world’s biggest market
on.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Doesn't seem like great news for Germany
Volkswagen has said it can produce an electric vehicle entirely made in China for half the cost of doing so elsewhere, as the German automaker fights to reclaim its share in the world’s biggest market.
Volkswagen has said it can produce an electric vehicle entirely made in China for half the cost of doing so elsewhere, as the German automaker fights to reclaim its share in the world’s biggest market.
Am I imagining it or is the WiFi almost everywhere in Berlin awful?!
November 25, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Am I imagining it or is the WiFi almost everywhere in Berlin awful?!
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
German FM Wadephul just gave a 25-min speech in Berlin outlining foreign policy priorities
Mentioned "dangerous dependencies", courting India & Japan, challenge of superpower rivalry
But a glaring absence of China - he only mentioned it in passing - "a more confident China"
Mentioned "dangerous dependencies", courting India & Japan, challenge of superpower rivalry
But a glaring absence of China - he only mentioned it in passing - "a more confident China"
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
German FM Wadephul just gave a 25-min speech in Berlin outlining foreign policy priorities
Mentioned "dangerous dependencies", courting India & Japan, challenge of superpower rivalry
But a glaring absence of China - he only mentioned it in passing - "a more confident China"
Mentioned "dangerous dependencies", courting India & Japan, challenge of superpower rivalry
But a glaring absence of China - he only mentioned it in passing - "a more confident China"
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
We are testing La Matinale Européenne in English.
Today’s long reading by me: The Limits of the EU’s “Daddy Diplomacy”
Don’t miss our brief and the new Trump’s blackmail “less rules on digital, less tariffs”.
With @cspillmann.bsky.social and @grimmse.bsky.social 👇
Today’s long reading by me: The Limits of the EU’s “Daddy Diplomacy”
Don’t miss our brief and the new Trump’s blackmail “less rules on digital, less tariffs”.
With @cspillmann.bsky.social and @grimmse.bsky.social 👇
The Limits of the EU’s “Daddy Diplomacy”
Good morning!
europemorningpost.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:06 AM
We are testing La Matinale Européenne in English.
Today’s long reading by me: The Limits of the EU’s “Daddy Diplomacy”
Don’t miss our brief and the new Trump’s blackmail “less rules on digital, less tariffs”.
With @cspillmann.bsky.social and @grimmse.bsky.social 👇
Today’s long reading by me: The Limits of the EU’s “Daddy Diplomacy”
Don’t miss our brief and the new Trump’s blackmail “less rules on digital, less tariffs”.
With @cspillmann.bsky.social and @grimmse.bsky.social 👇
EU ministers want to work with Trump on joint China policy. Its citizens aren't so sure...
My report on the yawning gap between EU governments' approach to Trump, China and the fascinating findings of a new survey out of Berlin
My report on the yawning gap between EU governments' approach to Trump, China and the fascinating findings of a new survey out of Berlin
EU ministers court Trump on joint China policy, even as public scepticism grows
European officials lobby American counterparts to ‘push back’ on Beijing together, while German poll shows wariness towards Washington.
www.scmp.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:32 AM
EU ministers want to work with Trump on joint China policy. Its citizens aren't so sure...
My report on the yawning gap between EU governments' approach to Trump, China and the fascinating findings of a new survey out of Berlin
My report on the yawning gap between EU governments' approach to Trump, China and the fascinating findings of a new survey out of Berlin
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
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...
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
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
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...
Taking off for Berlin ✈️
I'll be in town for the Berlin Foreign Policy Forum tomorrow and the European China Conference on Wednesday - say hi if you'll be there!
I'll be in town for the Berlin Foreign Policy Forum tomorrow and the European China Conference on Wednesday - say hi if you'll be there!
November 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Taking off for Berlin ✈️
I'll be in town for the Berlin Foreign Policy Forum tomorrow and the European China Conference on Wednesday - say hi if you'll be there!
I'll be in town for the Berlin Foreign Policy Forum tomorrow and the European China Conference on Wednesday - say hi if you'll be there!
Trump and Xi spoke today. Apparently Taiwan wasn't raised in Busan but definitely discussed today. From Xinhua:
Trump: "China played a crucial role in the victory of World War II, and the US understands the importance of the Taiwan issue to China"
Trump: "China played a crucial role in the victory of World War II, and the US understands the importance of the Taiwan issue to China"
November 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Trump and Xi spoke today. Apparently Taiwan wasn't raised in Busan but definitely discussed today. From Xinhua:
Trump: "China played a crucial role in the victory of World War II, and the US understands the importance of the Taiwan issue to China"
Trump: "China played a crucial role in the victory of World War II, and the US understands the importance of the Taiwan issue to China"