European Union

Like Taiwan, the South China Sea could spark a U.S.-China war.

The announcement was Washington's latest effort to combat Southeast Asia's multibillion-dollar online scamming industry.

The government of Sanae Takaichi may need to risk its political standing.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The state election results stand to impact border enforcement, trade flows, and water negotiations, as well as political messaging on both sides of the border.

As drones prove decisive in modern warfare, Kazakhstan is working to embed them in its military while slowly making a shift toward domestic production.

Kathmandu's new government was elected to right Nepal’s economic ship. It must now confront an external economic threat.

This press kit includes a selection of EP press releases outlining key priorities regarding the issues on the agenda of the informal meeting of heads of state or government in Cyprus.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Written by Ulrich Jochheim.

Global imbalances have been a major topic in international economic policymaking since at least the 1970s. Although they decreased after the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2008, they have begun to widen again in recent years. As the 2008 crisis demonstrated, the sudden unwinding of current account surpluses and deficits (‘disorderly adjustment’) can have major consequences not only for the countries directly involved but also for many third countries through spillover effects, particularly in financial markets.

Against this background, developments in the Chinese economy have become particularly important for global economic stability: while China played an important stabilising role in overcoming the GFC, its economic model has largely focused on export promotion and, more recently, import substitution. This has led to substantial current account surpluses, both as a percentage of GDP and in nominal terms, given the size of China’s economy.

International organisations have been trying for some time now to convince China’s authorities that the country’s growth model is shifting the burden of adjustment to its trading partners and risks becoming globally unsustainable. Prior to the adoption of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan by the two houses of Parliament (the ‘Two Sessions’) in March 2026, the IMF, in particular, proposed strategies to render China’s economic expansion more sustainable for its partners while reducing the risk of a disorderly adjustment.

However, a more detailed analysis of the new plan suggests a continuation of the current economic policy trajectory. At the same time, the ongoing crisis in the Middle East/Iran seems to have prompted some within China to reconsider priorities, at least in the short term. It remains to be seen, however, whether recent, more accommodating statements by the Chinese side are merely for external consumption, especially in view of the summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (currently planned for mid-May 2026).

Read the complete briefing on ‘China’s economic challenge to the world‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

The EU’s tool – branded as a “last resort measure” – is being used for the first time to cut off export of certain high-tech goods to Kyrgyzstan.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with government members, spoke about the development of Russia’s Arctic regions, emphasizing the strategic importance of the region. Strategic Importance of the Arctic “I have repeatedly noted the special, strategic importance of this region for our country, for the national economy, for increasing Russia’s industrial potential, for ensuring national security and protecting our sovereignty,” Putin said. He stressed that the role of the Arctic is also growing globally: “For the planet’s ecology, for global fuel, energy, and raw material complexes, and for strengthening the stability of international trade and logistics links.”

AMENDMENTS 1 - 476 - Draft report 2025 Commission report on Ukraine
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Michael Gahler

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2028-2034, amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/1153
Committee on Security and Defence
Petras Auštrevičius

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

EU leaders will meet in Lefkosia and Agia Napa (Cyprus) on 23-24 April 2026.

The EU Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on new rules aimed at modernising the coordination of social security systems in the EU.

The Council today appointed Kirsten Joppe as new head of mission for the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM Moldova).

The High Representative issued a statement on behalf of the European Union marking three years of war in Sudan.

The Council agreed today to establish a civilian EU Partnership Mission in Armenia under the Common Security and Defence Policy. The mission aims to enhance Armenia’s resilience, notably in countering foreign information manipulation and interference, as well as in cybersecurity, and information integrity.

The Council approved conclusions on 'EU energy and climate diplomacy – strengthening sovereignty and advancing the global clean transition'.