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...
We have a strange situation where AOC is on a Munich panel with Czech President Pavel (ex-Nato general), leader of European Parliament centre right Manfred Weber (whose EPP at times voted with far right) & Daiana Fernández Molero, whose party in Argentina has aligned with Milei
February 13, 2026 at 5:22 PM
We have a strange situation where AOC is on a Munich panel with Czech President Pavel (ex-Nato general), leader of European Parliament centre right Manfred Weber (whose EPP at times voted with far right) & Daiana Fernández Molero, whose party in Argentina has aligned with Milei
Interesting little Munich tidbit.
The German and French foreign ministers will meet Wang Yi together in just over half an hour.
Idea is to present a common, EU centric front #msc2026
The German and French foreign ministers will meet Wang Yi together in just over half an hour.
Idea is to present a common, EU centric front #msc2026
February 13, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Interesting little Munich tidbit.
The German and French foreign ministers will meet Wang Yi together in just over half an hour.
Idea is to present a common, EU centric front #msc2026
The German and French foreign ministers will meet Wang Yi together in just over half an hour.
Idea is to present a common, EU centric front #msc2026
Big words from Merz in Munich
The Msc motto, under destruction " probably means international order based on rights and rules is currently being destroyed. but I'm afraid we have to put it in even harsher terms.
This order no longer exists"
The Msc motto, under destruction " probably means international order based on rights and rules is currently being destroyed. but I'm afraid we have to put it in even harsher terms.
This order no longer exists"
February 13, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Big words from Merz in Munich
The Msc motto, under destruction " probably means international order based on rights and rules is currently being destroyed. but I'm afraid we have to put it in even harsher terms.
This order no longer exists"
The Msc motto, under destruction " probably means international order based on rights and rules is currently being destroyed. but I'm afraid we have to put it in even harsher terms.
This order no longer exists"
Just in: Wang Yi meeting Marco Rubio on the side-lines of Munich Security Conference - their second meeting.
Last year there was no high-level US-China talks here. Comes ahead of Trump's expected China trip in early April. (pic from Reuters wire)
Last year there was no high-level US-China talks here. Comes ahead of Trump's expected China trip in early April. (pic from Reuters wire)
February 13, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Just in: Wang Yi meeting Marco Rubio on the side-lines of Munich Security Conference - their second meeting.
Last year there was no high-level US-China talks here. Comes ahead of Trump's expected China trip in early April. (pic from Reuters wire)
Last year there was no high-level US-China talks here. Comes ahead of Trump's expected China trip in early April. (pic from Reuters wire)
🚨Ukraine FM Sybiha already met Wang Yi, who has arrived in Munich from Hungary
"China can play an important role in bringing about a just peace for Ukraine," he told Ukrainian TV
"We appreciate China's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty"
"China can play an important role in bringing about a just peace for Ukraine," he told Ukrainian TV
"We appreciate China's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty"
February 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM
🚨Ukraine FM Sybiha already met Wang Yi, who has arrived in Munich from Hungary
"China can play an important role in bringing about a just peace for Ukraine," he told Ukrainian TV
"We appreciate China's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty"
"China can play an important role in bringing about a just peace for Ukraine," he told Ukrainian TV
"We appreciate China's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty"
China Table reports Merz China trip from 24-27 will see him "accompanied by largest business delegation since Angela Merkel’s first term in office in the late 2000s"
Merz will be joined by a 30-strong business delegation, compared to 12 for Scholz trip
briefing.table.media...
Merz will be joined by a 30-strong business delegation, compared to 12 for Scholz trip
briefing.table.media...
February 13, 2026 at 8:32 AM
China Table reports Merz China trip from 24-27 will see him "accompanied by largest business delegation since Angela Merkel’s first term in office in the late 2000s"
Merz will be joined by a 30-strong business delegation, compared to 12 for Scholz trip
briefing.table.media...
Merz will be joined by a 30-strong business delegation, compared to 12 for Scholz trip
briefing.table.media...
Greetings from Munich. #MSC2026 kicks off today - here's what I will be watching.
Friday (local times)
1.45pm: Merz
2.30pm Kallas (on panel "The International Order Between Reform and Destruction" with Saudi FM and US UN ambo Waltz
5.30pm Pavel, AOC & Weber panel on populism
Friday (local times)
1.45pm: Merz
2.30pm Kallas (on panel "The International Order Between Reform and Destruction" with Saudi FM and US UN ambo Waltz
5.30pm Pavel, AOC & Weber panel on populism
February 13, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Greetings from Munich. #MSC2026 kicks off today - here's what I will be watching.
Friday (local times)
1.45pm: Merz
2.30pm Kallas (on panel "The International Order Between Reform and Destruction" with Saudi FM and US UN ambo Waltz
5.30pm Pavel, AOC & Weber panel on populism
Friday (local times)
1.45pm: Merz
2.30pm Kallas (on panel "The International Order Between Reform and Destruction" with Saudi FM and US UN ambo Waltz
5.30pm Pavel, AOC & Weber panel on populism
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
✈️🇩🇪 I am Munich bound this morning to cover the security conference again #msc26
Hit me up for a chat if you're also in town and keen to talk Europe, China, the unravelling global order and great-power rivalry...
Hit me up for a chat if you're also in town and keen to talk Europe, China, the unravelling global order and great-power rivalry...
February 12, 2026 at 10:05 AM
✈️🇩🇪 I am Munich bound this morning to cover the security conference again #msc26
Hit me up for a chat if you're also in town and keen to talk Europe, China, the unravelling global order and great-power rivalry...
Hit me up for a chat if you're also in town and keen to talk Europe, China, the unravelling global order and great-power rivalry...
Chinese Weibo account Yuyuan Tantian - linked to official CCTV - says Beijing to "resolutely retaliate by directly imposing 'reciprocal tariffs' on EU products" if EU "unilaterally imposes tariffs on Chinese goods"
Could also consider anti-dumping/subsidy probes on French wines
Could also consider anti-dumping/subsidy probes on French wines
February 11, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Chinese Weibo account Yuyuan Tantian - linked to official CCTV - says Beijing to "resolutely retaliate by directly imposing 'reciprocal tariffs' on EU products" if EU "unilaterally imposes tariffs on Chinese goods"
Could also consider anti-dumping/subsidy probes on French wines
Could also consider anti-dumping/subsidy probes on French wines
Breaking news: Dutch court upholds decision to effectively seize Nexperia's European arm and suspend Chinese management.
Blow for Wingtech: investigation now open into the company's "policy and affairs"
Blow for Wingtech: investigation now open into the company's "policy and affairs"
February 11, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Breaking news: Dutch court upholds decision to effectively seize Nexperia's European arm and suspend Chinese management.
Blow for Wingtech: investigation now open into the company's "policy and affairs"
Blow for Wingtech: investigation now open into the company's "policy and affairs"
The Chinese captain of a HK-registered cargo ship pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to criminal damage of a Baltic Sea gas pipeline that was forced to shut down after a leak.
Wan Wenguo, has been in custody in HK since May 2025, accused criminal damage
Wan Wenguo, has been in custody in HK since May 2025, accused criminal damage
Captain pleads not guilty to damaging Baltic Sea gas pipeline in Hong Kong court
Wan Wenguo, captain of the Hong Kong-flagged NewNew Polar Bear, denies damaging a key gas link between Finland and Estonia in 2023.
www.scmp.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:26 AM
The Chinese captain of a HK-registered cargo ship pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to criminal damage of a Baltic Sea gas pipeline that was forced to shut down after a leak.
Wan Wenguo, has been in custody in HK since May 2025, accused criminal damage
Wan Wenguo, has been in custody in HK since May 2025, accused criminal damage
Exclusive
Cold shoulder: China, EU in diplomatic stand-off ahead of Munich
Beijing has frozen out the EU’s envoy & snubbed its biz lobby, EU quietly boycotting China’s envoy in return, Wang Yi is Munich-bound with no locked‑in meeting with Kallas
Cold shoulder: China, EU in diplomatic stand-off ahead of Munich
Beijing has frozen out the EU’s envoy & snubbed its biz lobby, EU quietly boycotting China’s envoy in return, Wang Yi is Munich-bound with no locked‑in meeting with Kallas
Exclusive | Cold shoulder? China, EU in diplomatic stand-off ahead of Munich showdown
Annual security conference could provide rare venue for high-level EU-China talks as top diplomats Wang Yi and Kaja Kallas attend.
www.scmp.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Exclusive
Cold shoulder: China, EU in diplomatic stand-off ahead of Munich
Beijing has frozen out the EU’s envoy & snubbed its biz lobby, EU quietly boycotting China’s envoy in return, Wang Yi is Munich-bound with no locked‑in meeting with Kallas
Cold shoulder: China, EU in diplomatic stand-off ahead of Munich
Beijing has frozen out the EU’s envoy & snubbed its biz lobby, EU quietly boycotting China’s envoy in return, Wang Yi is Munich-bound with no locked‑in meeting with Kallas
This will be a big draw in Munich this week
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez set to take the stage and lay out what her "progressive foreign policy" means in Europe.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez set to take the stage and lay out what her "progressive foreign policy" means in Europe.
Anticipating AOC’s Munich Security Conference Speech
What to look for from a left-populist counter to imperialism, fascism, white supremacy, and oligarchy.
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:11 PM
This will be a big draw in Munich this week
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez set to take the stage and lay out what her "progressive foreign policy" means in Europe.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez set to take the stage and lay out what her "progressive foreign policy" means in Europe.
Headlines from the frontlines of late-stage capitalism
February 10, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Headlines from the frontlines of late-stage capitalism
Some brutal charts in the new Rhodium Group note, updating their previous research on Germany and China Shock 2.0
Food for thought ahead of Merz's trip to China in 2 weeks.
Food for thought ahead of Merz's trip to China in 2 weeks.
February 10, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Some brutal charts in the new Rhodium Group note, updating their previous research on Germany and China Shock 2.0
Food for thought ahead of Merz's trip to China in 2 weeks.
Food for thought ahead of Merz's trip to China in 2 weeks.
Confirmation that Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi will be at the Munich Security Conference later this week - stopping off in (you guessed it) Hungary on the way.
February 10, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Confirmation that Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi will be at the Munich Security Conference later this week - stopping off in (you guessed it) Hungary on the way.
The far-right AfD is now invited to Munich Security Conference, reportedly as organisers are afraid of upsetting Trump
“Invitations were issued as we made an impression with contacts to the Americans,” said Heinrich Koch, one of 3 AfD MPs to be invited
“Invitations were issued as we made an impression with contacts to the Americans,” said Heinrich Koch, one of 3 AfD MPs to be invited
Banging at the gates
A weekly newsletter on German politics, with news and analysis on the new government. By NETTE NÖSTLINGER Send tips here | Subscribe for free | View in your browser BATTLE OVER TRUMP TIES IT’…
www.politico.eu
February 10, 2026 at 12:02 PM
The far-right AfD is now invited to Munich Security Conference, reportedly as organisers are afraid of upsetting Trump
“Invitations were issued as we made an impression with contacts to the Americans,” said Heinrich Koch, one of 3 AfD MPs to be invited
“Invitations were issued as we made an impression with contacts to the Americans,” said Heinrich Koch, one of 3 AfD MPs to be invited
There we have it, the first price undertaking deal in the EU-China EV saga
The European Commission has just accepted a tightly controlled price undertaking for one Chinese‑built VW Group EV model – the CUPRA Tavascan – instead of applying full countervailing duties.
The European Commission has just accepted a tightly controlled price undertaking for one Chinese‑built VW Group EV model – the CUPRA Tavascan – instead of applying full countervailing duties.
February 10, 2026 at 11:50 AM
There we have it, the first price undertaking deal in the EU-China EV saga
The European Commission has just accepted a tightly controlled price undertaking for one Chinese‑built VW Group EV model – the CUPRA Tavascan – instead of applying full countervailing duties.
The European Commission has just accepted a tightly controlled price undertaking for one Chinese‑built VW Group EV model – the CUPRA Tavascan – instead of applying full countervailing duties.
Euronews "has recently explored opportunities in China, including sponsorship deals with the state-owned channel CGTN", Euractiv reports
www.euractiv.com/new...
www.euractiv.com/new...
February 10, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Euronews "has recently explored opportunities in China, including sponsorship deals with the state-owned channel CGTN", Euractiv reports
www.euractiv.com/new...
www.euractiv.com/new...
A French government-linked strategy body on Monday urged the EU to impose a 30% tariff on Chinese imports, warning Beijing poses a “systemic threat” to Europe's industrial base.
www.euractiv.com/new...
www.euractiv.com/new...
February 10, 2026 at 9:01 AM
A French government-linked strategy body on Monday urged the EU to impose a 30% tariff on Chinese imports, warning Beijing poses a “systemic threat” to Europe's industrial base.
www.euractiv.com/new...
www.euractiv.com/new...
Fascinating post from the Cross Purposes newsletter on Chinese views of EU economic security
Xin Hua at Shanghai Int. U: "EU decision-makers now see the prolonged Ukraine crisis + US-China rivalry indicate economic warfare is becoming a central form of geopolitical conflict"
Xin Hua at Shanghai Int. U: "EU decision-makers now see the prolonged Ukraine crisis + US-China rivalry indicate economic warfare is becoming a central form of geopolitical conflict"
February 10, 2026 at 8:42 AM
Fascinating post from the Cross Purposes newsletter on Chinese views of EU economic security
Xin Hua at Shanghai Int. U: "EU decision-makers now see the prolonged Ukraine crisis + US-China rivalry indicate economic warfare is becoming a central form of geopolitical conflict"
Xin Hua at Shanghai Int. U: "EU decision-makers now see the prolonged Ukraine crisis + US-China rivalry indicate economic warfare is becoming a central form of geopolitical conflict"
I had a long chat with Luuk van Middelaar – one of Europe’s sharpest political thinkers – and his verdict is stark: Trump’s 2nd term is blowing up 80 years of transatlantic certainties and dragging the world back into a harsher age of great‑power bargains and spheres of influence
February 10, 2026 at 7:39 AM
I had a long chat with Luuk van Middelaar – one of Europe’s sharpest political thinkers – and his verdict is stark: Trump’s 2nd term is blowing up 80 years of transatlantic certainties and dragging the world back into a harsher age of great‑power bargains and spheres of influence
Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, sanctioned by China in 2021 in the tit-for-tat over human rights violations in Xinjiang, is set to be the next Dutch minister for trade
Alle D66-ministers bekend, Van Essen Landbouw, Van Veldhoven Klimaat
Alle D66-ministers zijn bekend. Een wethouder uit Deventer, Jaimi van Essen, wordt minister van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur. Oud-D66-Kamerlid Stientje van Veldhoven wordt minister van Klimaat en Groene Groei. Dat melden bronnen aan de politieke redactie van RTL Nieuws. Verder worden luitenant-generaal Elanor Boekholt-O'Sullivan minister van Volkshuisvesting en Sjoerd Sjoerdsma minister van Buitenlandse Handel en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking.
www.rtl.nl
February 10, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, sanctioned by China in 2021 in the tit-for-tat over human rights violations in Xinjiang, is set to be the next Dutch minister for trade
Hong Kong court jails pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai for 20 years
Hong Kong court jails pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai for 20 years
Lai was sentenced for offences under the city's controversial national security law.
www.bbc.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:54 AM
Hong Kong court jails pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai for 20 years