Andrew Bounds

We have Chinese trade data this morning for first half of 2026: China's EU exports +16.8% / EU imports +8.7% / surplus with EU +23.7% China's German exports +19% / German imports +1.8% / surplus with Germany +80.8% An 80% (+$10bn) widening in German trade deficit in 6 months

Ukraine has intensified its deep-strike drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure inside Russia in recent weeks, in an effort to weaken the country’s war machine and force President Vladimir Putin into earnest peace talks. ft.trib.al/c3qPSQC

It was an actual shit show. My dispatch from a Dutch manure matchmaking event in Poland -> nytimes.com/2026/07/13/wor…

UK proposal on EU youth mobility scheme is ‘non-starter’, diplomats warn ft.trib.al/VK16EOH

News on 🇬🇧🇪🇺 "Erasmus" The 🇬🇧 proposal would leave smaller 🇪🇺 countries, including UK security allies such as Estonia and Cyprus, with fewer than 200 visas each. "Our allocation would fit on a London double-decker bus," one diplomat said.

The huge investment needed to replace Chinese financing in critical industries highlights the scale of the challenge facing the US and Europe as they seek to reduce Beijing’s grip on strategic supply chains. Can they really afford to decouple from China? ft.trib.al/KeZP3A3

« Marine Le Pen aspire à présider la France. Je souhaite la gouverner. Ensemble, nous allons offrir à la nation la renaissance qu’elle attend. Trois éminentes responsabilités m’incombent désormais : bâtir le programme, former un gouvernement, et conduire le RN à la conquête d’une majorité solide. » Mon entretien dans @LeFigaro ⤵️

A load of old pollocks has caused fresh trade tensions between the US and the EU - more problems for EU IT systems @Alaska_Seafood as.ft.com/r/2e457510-874… via @financialtimes

Sir Keir Starmer is next week set to sign Britain up to a €60bn EU defence loan scheme for Ukraine, as he seeks to use his last week in Number 10 to cement an improved post-Brexit relationship with Europe. @GeorgeWParker @paolatamma @AndyBounds ft.com/content/3c8b25…

Dutch spy agencies: Russia hacked cameras to spy on military routes dlvr.it/TTSnWb

@berndlange How is the EU supporting them against the Chinese restrictions on rare earth exports @berndlange ?

🇪🇺🇯🇵 The EU & Japan are both major global trading powers that greatly value free trade and a rules-based order. 🤝Therefore, it was a pleasure to meet a delegation of the National Diet. 💡We have a great deal to learn from Japan, particularly in the field of economic security.

#Porsche sales in #China. #Merz should stop listening to Germany’s car lobbies. They are trapped in China

Has the EU bitten off more than it can chew? A rare agricultural case could spark retaliation @TomHale_ ft.com/content/1a4765… via @ft

EU to delay pre-authorised travel system after border chaos ft.com/content/de332c… via @lauramdubois

🇬🇧🇪🇺 reset delayed! Brussels remains skeptical about granting London a "decision-shaping" role in the rules and regulations Britain has agreed to follow as it seeks closer economic ties with the EU. EU flexibility? Not yet.

Julius Caesar: "Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae" [“Of all these, the Belgians are the strongest”, Commentaries on the Gallic War] België 🇧🇪, gefeliciteerd! #USABEL

Overturn this. 🧏‍♂️ #USABEL

A French effort to exclude the UK from an EU defence fund has backfired. Strict eligibility rules championed by Paris have left some Franco-British weapons projects unable to access cheap EU loans. ft.trib.al/a5QXHd5

There's a lot more interest building around nuclear-powered ships as shipowners lose faith in green fuels coming to fruition. Other ideas are Co2 capture on ships - and trad fossil fuels... ft.com/content/2eb36e…

The Financial Times in Brussels is looking for a new Europe Express editor. Come join our team: job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/financialtimes…