Sign in

Finbarr Bermingham

@fbermingham.bsky.social
9.5K followers 772 following 11K posts

Chief Europe Correspondent 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.

PostsRepliesMedia
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 13h
Macron spoke on China today: “China has completely flooded European market. For decades, we told ourselves: ‘Wonderful, China is a huge market for us Europeans. We need China.’ That's true. We transferred a great deal of tech, we sold a great deal, we still do to some extent...”
1207
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 16h
Volkswagen and Chinese battery maker Gotion plan to invest €3.22 billion in battery facilities in Europe and North Africa as they push to set up an EV supply chain outside China. Plan battery plants in Spain and Slovakia and a facility in Morocco to make cathode materials
3162
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 16h
Ford CEO says it is "too late" for Europe to do anything about Chinese auto influx “I watch what’s happening in Europe right now, where that was not the case, and it’s really something that they have to deal with now, and it’s too late.”
cnbc.com
Ford CEO says it's 'too late' for Europe to fend off Chinese automakers, but not for U.S.
CEO Jim Farley's warning comes on the heels of a high-profile visit last week by Chinese President Xi Jinping with President Donald Trump
494
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 16h
Gucci has begun selling new luxury sneaker models labelled "Made in China", a ​break with its Italian manufacturing tradition that some industry watchers say could undermine the brand's high-end image as it races to win ‌back middle-class shoppers. www.reuters.com/busi...
151
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 16h
Europe's mobile telecoms operators could get more time to phase out equipment from suppliers deemed high ​risk Commission proposed 36-month phase out period for Huawei et al, but Council counter proposal draft removed deadline... www.reuters.com/worl...
153
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 16h
NEW on EU diversification instrument Commission launched "call for evidence to understand challenges faced by biz in diversifying supply chains" Will "present a diversification package to support faster supply chain diversification & reducing dependencies in critical sectors"
052
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
Lewis @lgambrose.bsky.social · 17h
Listening to Lineker say City fans are "ultimately the people that suffer from this" and I completely get what he means - yes, they will suffer, but: 1) For almost 20 years they have only benefitted; everyone else in the game has suffered. 2) Let it be a lesson: PROTEST YOUR CORRUPT OWNERS!
1116816
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 17h
New: EU weighs sweeping new trade powers against China before make-or-break October A primer from me ahead of a crucial month that could set the course of EU-China ties for years to come
scmp.com
Ties between Beijing and Brussels on the brink ahead of make-or-break October
The mood in Brussels is hardening and Europe’s actions in coming weeks could set the course of EU-China relations for years to come.
1103
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Remarkable shift in German industry thinking on China. From new BDI paper: “Even if de-risking entails costs, including in the form of counter-reactions, passivity would in the long term be economically considerably more costly & irresponsible from a security-policy perspective”
22313
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
At EP hearing on Industrial Accelerator Act, co-rapporteur from trade group Anna Cavazzini on Made in Europe provisions "China has deployed this logic for 30 years, the only shocking fact for me is that it took us so long to even consider investment conditions ourselves"
1101
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
1/ Worth reading this from Pascal Canfin, now the European Parliament’s INTA rapporteur on China. It’s a fairly comprehensive statement of the tougher economic-security agenda now taking shape in Europe towards Beijing, and of the tools he thinks the EU should use.
1185
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Credible reporting from @IdafeMartin & Noah Barkin that France & Germany will imminently present their joint paper on how to tackle the China challenge to Brussels Per Noah, Berlin & Paris want an instrument to "allow us to cut China off from European market within 24 hours.”
2116
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Thank you to everyone for the lovely messages and well-wishes. I'm back on deck today after a whirlwind 3 weeks of leave (not nearly long enough🥹) Let me know what I've missed...
4281
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Watching Pantheon season 1 finale after Anthropic stuff today is maybe too on the nose
020
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
For the next few weeks, you'll have to get your trade war news elsewhere. I've my hands full with this wee man, Lochlann ☘️💚
9830
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Wow. New survey of 1,300 German companies on China: • 83% of manufacturers face rising Chinese competition; 50% say pressure is strong/very strong • 55% back tougher EU trade measures against China, even if they themselves suffer
23116
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Mercedes' answer to the China shock 2.0: belt tightening for thee, but not for me
1117
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The EU's new director general for trade, Ditte Juul Jørgensen, confirms at EP she's off to China this month, following her top trade enforcer, who travels back from talks today "We see an engaged China in these talks, but of course the challenges are very, very significant" 🧵
162
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Xi, Trump and Putin may hold trilateral meeting at next Apec forum, Kremlin says
scmp.com
Xi, Trump and Putin may hold trilateral meeting at next Apec forum, Kremlin says
Senior Russian aide confirms possibility of all three leaders meeting in Shenzhen in November ‘was discussed’ at this week’s SCO summit.
050
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 01/09/2026
Reuters: Kremlin aide says Putin, Xi, and Trump may hold a trilateral meeting – ‘may ​hold a trilateral meeting at ​the next summit of the Asia-Pacific ⁠Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.’
reuters.com
Kremlin says Putin, Xi and Trump may hold a trilateral meeting
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov ​said on Tuesday that Russian ‌President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping may ​hold a trilateral meeting at ​the next summit of th...
254
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
What a fascinating timeline: July 6: INEOS chairman Jim Ratcliffe asks Ursula von der Leyen to protect Europe’s chemicals industry from Chinese overcapacity & “unfair competition” Aug 25: The European Commission clears the creation of a joint venture between INEOS AG & Sinopec
12410
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I've been off for a bit so am catching up on EU-China trade war - here's what we missed: A negotiating team led by Denis Redonnet is in Beijing this morning for talks with Ling Ji at Mofcom. Online talks through Aug delivered no major breakthroughs A timeline of what changed:
193
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Are Europe and China heading for a trade war? Was very pleased to offer my thoughts to this very well-made BBC radio documentary, featuring among others Olof Gill and @Brad_Setser
bbc.co.uk
BBC World Service - Business Daily, Are Europe and China heading for a trade war?
European governments and businesses are taking a tougher line on trade with China
062
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
My wife was telling our four year old boy about a new electric toothbrush, he asked if the other one was petrol. Kids.
5291
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This week's holiday reads / listens. Variety being the spice of life and all that
270
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Last week, Shahin Vallée's note inspired me to write about "the Mistral paradox" - the idea of building European sovereign AI on Chinese foundations Pleased to see him dive further into it: "This is exactly what I described last week & I'm kicking myself I didn’t coin the term"
183
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
NEW: China’s trade grip tightens in Europe as clock ticks towards Oct deadline - July data showed worsening position for 24/27 EU members vs China - Surplus with Sweden quadrupled, Germany up 86%, Finland 94% - But new small package tax saw those shipments halved from July 1
1123
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
Nils Redeker @nilsredeker.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Fantastic piece, highly recommend it. As @shahinvallee.bsky.social argues, the EU has good reasons to focus on AI adoption rather than innovation. But from what I read China is betting heavily on industrial AI adoption too. The key question is how Europe can still eke out an edge in this area.
2148
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
New from me - The Mistral paradox: Europe’s push for tech sovereignty relies on China’s AI What one quiet line says about Europe's duelling political and commercial incentives
scmp.com
The Mistral paradox: Europe’s push for tech sovereignty relies on China’s Z.ai
AI race contender’s decision to offer GL-5.2 a sign of how European political and commercial incentives can pull in different directions.
4209
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Hengtong Optic-Electric a Chinese giant banned by US authorities, has set up shop in Spain Hengtong, one of the world's 3largest fibre optic manufacturers follows the arrival of China National Chemical, which also opened an office in Madrid . theobjective.com/eco...
097
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
China is restricting or delaying exports of key aerospace and optical materials to Taiwan, creating painful supply chain bottlenecks Exports of germanium- and quartz-based materials have faced difficulties clearing Chinese customs
asia.nikkei.com
Exclusive: China slows exports of key optical, aerospace metals to Taiwan
Germanium- and quartz-based materials as well as some magnets affected, sources say
073
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
CDU foreign policy specialist Johannes Volkmann calls on Berlin and Brussels to protect European industries from China "I am convinced that we must take this path because inaction will ultimately result in significantly higher costs for our economy."
bild.de
CDU-Politiker warnt Regierung: Alarm! China macht deutsche Wirtschaft platt | Politik | BILD.de
CDU-Mann Volkmann fordert harte EU-Maßnahmen gegen Chinas unfairen Industrieschub.
182
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Volvo’s European factories will produce luxury models for sibling brands within the Geely Group starting in 2028, Geely Auto’s new chairman said.
electrifying.com
New Geely chair has said the company plans to build some of its fancier cars at Volvo factories in Europe
Punitive tariffs on Chinese exported cars to Europe are seeing carmakers shifting production to the region
1112
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Big breaking news from Chinese media: CCTV says Beijing has ordered entities not ‌to ​implement or assist with the ⁠EU's foreign subsidies probe into e-commerce giant JD.com, saying it constituted "improper extraterritorial jurisdiction"
22215
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
Grand Continent @grandcontinent.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
L’Europe dispose de puissants leviers face au nouveau choc industriel chinois, mais Pékin ne croit plus qu’elle aura le courage de les utiliser. @fbermingham.bsky.social analyse les faiblesses structurelles européennes face à Xi Jinping.
legrandcontinent.eu
Pourquoi Xi Jinping ne craint plus l’Europe
Face au nouveau choc industriel chinois, l’Union dispose de leviers considérables. Le parti communiste chinois a pourtant cessé de croire qu'elle s'en servirait.
0115
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
ECB chief Christine Lagarde today: "China has been steadily moving up the value chain. The country now competes directly with the euro area in close to 40% of sectors in which we have a comparative advantage, compared with around 25% in the early 2000s"
ecb.europa.eu
Panel remarks about the European economy during a discussion on the global economic outlook at the World Economic Forum
The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank of the European Union countries which have adopted the euro. Our main task is to maintain price stability in the euro area and so preserve the purchasing power of the single currency.
092
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
From a few weeks ago, but Chinese wind turbine maker Goldwind had a bid to suspend the EU's foreign subsidies regulation probe into it rejected by the General Court Goldwind argued parts of a v broad request for information went beyond the scope of the investigation
131
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Pourquoi Xi Jinping ne craint plus l’Europe "Faced with the new Chinese industrial shock, the EU has considerable leverage. Yet the CCP has ceased to believe that it will use it" I sat for a long interview on EU-China trade war with prestigious Le Grand Continent - Q&A below
2152
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Iran has weighed attacking US military targets in Europe should Donald Trump escalate the war, according to people close to the regime, as Tehran considers its options to increase the stakes of the conflict.
ft.com
Iran eyes military targets in Europe if Donald Trump escalates war, insiders say
Proposals to retaliate against US assets beyond the Middle East come as many in Tehran see renewed conflict as inevitable
287
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Finnish telecoms equipment giant Nokia plans to cut most of its workforce in mainland China and close sites in stages by year end, marking a sweeping retreat after more than four decades as it loses ground to domestic rivals.
scmp.com
Exclusive | Nokia to close almost all sites in mainland China by year end: sources
Retreating from China, once Nokia’s largest single-country market globally, would mark an acquiescence to domestic competition.
0108
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Cold comfort: What China can teach Europe about adaptation Europe is learning to adapt to a hotter climate. It should take the same approach to economic dependencies: manage consequences but also change conditions that created them Smart piece @byfordt
ecfr.eu
Cold comfort: What China can teach Europe about adaptation – European Council on Foreign Relations
Europe is learning to adapt to a hotter climate. It should take the same approach to economic dependencies: manage the consequences, but also change the conditi
0155
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
2 stories by colleagues in Huizhao in Berlin & Mia in Barcelona to be read together: 1. Job losses mount in German automotive sector as challenge from China intensifies 2. China’s PHEVs, outmanoeuvring EU tariffs, gain traction in Spain
173
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Striking physical manifestation of EU-China (+global) trade imbalances: containers go west full of Chinese exports, returning east empty as not enough cargo to fill them "The disbalance in East-West trade grows even larger, leading to much more empty containers on the backhaul"
286
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Chinese A/C makers capitalising on Europe's heatwaves "They’ve hired European content creators to promote their wares on social media. And, adopting a playbook from Sony, Samsung and LG before them, are sponsoring sporting events and signing star athletes to endorsement deals"
173
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Can China’s new Arctic sea route to Europe replace Middle East chokepoints? Good read by @priyankashank17
aljazeera.com
Can China’s new Arctic sea route to Europe replace Middle East chokepoints? | International Trade News | Al Jazeera
Beijing’s new ‘Ice Silk Road’ cuts through a melting Arctic, and could prompt new tensions with the US, analysts say.
041
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Fascinating post today from Shahin Vallée on what Mistral opting to use a Chinese AI model could mean for EU-China relations "A European enterprise under GDPR will use a Chinese open-weight model [GLM-5.2 from Z.ai] through a European jurisdictional wrapper"
1106
Reposted by Finbarr Bermingham
Minna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
There’s a tendency in northeastern Europe to complain about southern Europe, and especially about Italy and Spain - that they ”don’t get it” re: the Russian threat etc. But in Latvia it was Italians and in Romania Spaniards who shot down drones.
1123354
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
A bit silly to call Ian Paisley "Protestant religious leader", as if he ruled over all protestants. His Free Presbyterians had around 10,000 adherents in NI when he was alive. Most protestants I know - including my wife - wanted nothing to do with him or what he represented
293
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
This is bonkers: US demanding Nato allies pledge loyalty to Trump foreign policy before committing $ to alliance Specifically asks if they publicly support US "initiatives” in Middle East & "Western Hemisphere" and if they'd lift restrictions on US military using their bases
11711
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai to deploy over 2,000 robotaxis in ​Europe in partnership with Uber The ⁠collaboration is ​set to expand from the existing commercial robotaxi service ​in ​Zagreb to four unnamed cities ‌in ⁠Europe www.reuters.com/tech...
062