Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 1d

A quiet bombshell in Europe’s tech world

The Dutch government seems to have effectively frozen operations of Nexperia, the Chinese-owned chipmaker, citing national security, according to corporate filing today - via @zichenwanghere

Dutch govt accused of freezing operations of Chinese semiconductor giant's chipmaker Nexperia

Wingtech, the Shanghai-listed parent, denounces what it essentially calls a boardroom coup involving the Dutch government and local executives

open.substack.com

3 72 120

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Noah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 1d

Big intervention from the Dutch government in the operations of Nexperia, the Dutch chip firm that was acquired by China’s Wingtech in 2019

longbridge.com/en/news/2607...

The Dutch government takes action against Wingtech's Nexperia: Director Zhang Xuezheng's position suspended, a foreign director will have decisive voting rights, and Chinese equity is reduced to only ...

荷兰政府对闻泰科技的控股子公司安世半导体采取措施，要求冻结其资产和知识产权调整，为期一年。张学政的董事职务被暂停，一名外籍董事将拥有决定性投票权，中资股权仅剩 1 股。安世半导体 2024 年预计收入 147 亿人民币，占闻泰科技总营收的六分之一。

longbridge.com

1 6 18

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Michael Derby @michaelsderby.bsky.social · 3d

Conservative tech lord Thiel said tighter financial regulations “were a sign that a singular world government has begun to emerge that could be taken over by an Antichrist figure who could then use it to exert control over people.” Via WashPost

Inside billionaire Peter Thiel’s private lectures: Warnings of ‘the Antichrist’ and U.S. destruction

In leaked recordings of private lectures by tech billionaire Peter Thiel he argued that “the Antichrist” is likely to take the form of a critic of technology.

www.washingtonpost.com

52 42 120

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Marianne Gros @mariannegros.bsky.social · 3d

Washington, with the help of big American companies like ExxonMobil, has been lobbying the EU to scrap its due diligence rules.

Behind closed doors, Brussels is telling EU capitals that it’s not on the table.

Read more from @gabrielgavin.bsky.social and I 👇

Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · 3d

Sabine Weyand tells member countries that the EU won’t bow to the Trump administration’s demand to rip up its business regulations.

Great get from @gabrielgavin.bsky.social and @mariannegros.bsky.social from this week’s no-phones meeting:

www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...

EU refuses to bow to Trump demands to tear up business rules

Brussels has signaled it won’t yield to U.S. pressure to ignite a bonfire of green regulations as part of their trade deal, a top official tells diplomats.

www.politico.eu

2 19 58

Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · 3d

Sabine Weyand tells member countries that the EU won’t bow to the Trump administration’s demand to rip up its business regulations.

Great get from @gabrielgavin.bsky.social and @mariannegros.bsky.social from this week’s no-phones meeting:

www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...

EU refuses to bow to Trump demands to tear up business rules

Brussels has signaled it won’t yield to U.S. pressure to ignite a bonfire of green regulations as part of their trade deal, a top official tells diplomats.

www.politico.eu

3 9

Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · 3d

Steel looks like the ultimate “told you so” moment for the Remain camp.

Let’s see who gets a piece of the EU’s diminished tariff-free imports.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

We all know Brexit’s to blame for the crisis facing UK steel - it’s time for politicians to be honest and reverse it | Simon Jenkins

With British industry faltering, the excuse that the public wants this is risible. Parliament must force Starmer to act, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

www.theguardian.com

1

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Sam Lowe @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social · 4d

This week’s edition of Most Favoured Nation discusses steel clubs, the limits of the special relationship, and some other things …

But is mainly an excuse to share some photos.

open.substack.com/pub/mostfavo...

Blue Steel

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

open.substack.com

3 2 15

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 4d

The European Parliament voted today to ban plant-based and lab-grown products from having meat-related names such as “burger,” “sausage” or “steak” on their labels.

EU lawmakers back ‘veggie burger’ ban

The European Parliament slips prohibition of plant-based “burgers” into wider farm reform, sparking NGO outrage and political splits.

www.politico.eu

25 15 49

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Noah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 6d

Too slow, too timid, too wedded to a rulebook that others have torn up. In Brussels, officials now acknowledge that the China strategy of the past years has failed to deliver. What comes next? And crucially, are members states on board? All in my latest WCIE for GMF

www.gmfus.org/news/watchin...

Watching China in Europe—October 2025

www.gmfus.org

2 9

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 10d

Donald Trump’s tariffs have stung both the EU and India into mounting a big push to get their long-delayed trade deal over the line — fast.

5 things to watch as EU-India trade talks enter home stretch

There’s immense political appetite to clinch a deal in Brussels and New Delhi — but historically thorny issues keep complicating the talks.

ow.ly

1 8 44

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · 12d

The European Commission is eyeing a possible signature of its long-awaited partnership agreement with the Mercosur bloc of South American countries on Dec. 5 in Brazil, four EU diplomats told @politico.eu

w/ @camgijs.bsky.social @koenverhelst.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/brus...

Brussels aims to sign Mercosur trade deal on Dec. 5

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff crusade has pushed the EU toward completing its long-awaited agreement with the South American bloc.

www.politico.eu

5 4

Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · 12d

Trump’s tariffs give European wineries — and US importers — a hangover

As @rebeccalholland.bsky.social relates, the legacy of Prohibition means that tariffs on European wines are also putting the squeeze on U.S. producers and distributors. Worth your time:

www.politico.eu/article/dona...

Trump’s tariffs give European wineries — and US importers — a hangover

With U.S. tariffs set at 15 percent for the foreseeable future, it’s a lose-lose situation for winemakers on both sides of the Atlantic.

www.politico.eu

1 3

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Raphael Satter @raphae.li · 29d

By my and @ajvicens.bsky.social’s count 15 people have been fired or suspended for commentary tied to the shootings death of Charlie Kirk.

Our story:
www.reuters.com/world/us/cha...

Charlie Kirk's allies warn Americans: Mourn him properly or else

After the fatal shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, U.S. Republicans have a warning for Americans: Mourn him respectfully or suffer the consequences.

www.reuters.com

22 95 180

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Zia Weise @ziaweise.bsky.social · Sep 12

NEW: Vote on 2040 climate target canceled after big EU governments — including France + Germany — blocked the decision to ensure leaders get a say.

On Tuesday, countries will decide the fate of the 2035 Paris Agreement plan/NDC.

Full story w/ @l-guillot.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/vote...

Vote on 2040 climate target canceled after big EU countries block decision

Decision casts doubt over whether EU can present climate plan in time for U.N. gathering this month.

www.politico.eu

16 25

Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · Sep 12

You can use a browser extension to stop For You and get your feed in chronological order. Recommended!

1

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · Sep 10

Just sent out this free post. Russia attacked Poland last night--and the NATO response indicates institutional and national failure. They were clearly not prepared, cannot even call the Russian attack an attack, and do not understand their real security concerns. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

NATO States Have Failed

They have not prepared and do not understand their national interests

open.substack.com

28 190 510

Douglas Busvine @busvine.bsky.social · Sep 3

This is about as sobering as it gets

www.politico.eu/article/us-e...

The Turnberry trap: Trump, Europe and global reordering

The bloc’s challenge isn’t to restore the old transatlantic bargain but to build a new one before the next crisis hits.

www.politico.eu

1 1

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Sep 1

European Council President António Costa appeared to concede the war in Ukraine was a factor in the EU's accepting its much-criticized trade deal with the United States, in a major break from the official line taken by the EU executive.

Costa breaks ranks on EU-US trade deal, fires warning shot at Trump

The European Council president appears to admit the war in Ukraine was a factor in accepting the bloc’s lopsided pact with Washington.

www.politico.eu

6 21 72

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Aug 31

Below par? EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s dash to Donald Trump’s Scottish golf resort to seal a highly unbalanced trade deal has raised fears that Europe has lost the leverage it once thought it had as a leading global trade power.

Europe’s ‘century of humiliation’ could be just beginning

Donald Trump is using America’s military and technological superiority to force one-sided deals on Europe.

www.politico.eu

18 27 73

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Aug 30

The European Commission plans to present the text of two trade agreements with Mercosur and Mexico next week, starting a ratification process that may be difficult for France to swallow.

Brussels poised to present Mercosur and Mexico trade deals next week

The agreement with South America’s Mercosur bloc is likely to run into huge political opposition in countries like France.

www.politico.eu

8 35

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Aug 26

Ursula von der Leyen’s dash to Donald Trump’s golf resort in Scotland last month to seal an unbalanced trade deal has raised fears among politicians and analysts that Europe has lost the leverage that it once thought it had as a leading global trade power.

Europe’s ‘century of humiliation’ could be just beginning

Donald Trump is using America’s military and technological superiority to force one-sided deals on Europe.

www.politico.eu

8 25 69

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Antonia Zimmermann @zimmerfrau.bsky.social · Aug 26

The ink is still drying on a leaders’ statement formalizing a tariff deal between the EU and the United States, and President Donald Trump is already threatening to tear it up.

w/ colleague in crime @camgijs.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/eu-f...

EU faces first test of fragile trade truce with Trump

Donald Trump’s threat to target the bloc’s digital rules comes days after joint agreement on trade.

www.politico.eu

5 6 13

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Camille Gijs @camgijs.bsky.social · Aug 25

Europe has lectured Beijing, Washington and New Delhi for years on the importance of rules-based trade.

Now, following its not-so-free-trade-friendly trade deal with Trump, the bloc is struggling to reconcile principles and reality.

www.politico.eu/article/dona...

Trump deal threatens EU’s image as champion of rules-based trade

The fragile tariff truce has spared Europe from the U.S. president’s wrath and kept him on board on Ukraine so far — but at a reputational cost.

www.politico.eu

6 9 34

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Karl Mathiesen @karlmathiesen.bsky.social · Aug 21

“If policymakers fail to act, they risk fueling the very populism they claim to fear.”

@thisisbartosz.bsky.social‬ scoops an unvarnished view of the EU's climate backtracking from Connie Hedegaard.

www.politico.eu/article/gree...

‘They should be ashamed’: Green backsliding is wrecking Europe, EU’s first climate chief warns

From wildfires to far-right gains, Connie Hedegaard says Europe can’t afford to go soft on climate while China races ahead and companies like BP backtrack.

www.politico.eu

2 25 60

Reposted by Douglas Busvine

Noah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · Aug 19

The proof will be in the pudding, but Monday’s meeting with Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House was a diplomatic coup for Europe, showing that when key capitals are united they can’t be ignored. It would be nice to see more of this on China

nbarkin.substack.com/p/a-show-of-...

A show of European unity on Ukraine

Leaders descend on Washington to woo Trump

nbarkin.substack.com

3 7 44