As the European summer break approaches, Brussels is buzzing with activity on multiple fronts — from trade negotiations with China to a new UK prime minister signalling a warmer relationship with the EU, and from Spanish football celebrations to Belgian military pageantry.
EU-China Trade Talks: A Delegation Without Phones
A delegation from the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by German MEP David McAllister, is in China this week for meetings with Chinese authorities. The timing is critical: Brussels and Beijing are working toward an October deadline to address the EU's hundreds-of-billions-of-euros trade deficit with China. Notably, the delegation's phones were confiscated by local authorities, leaving them incommunicado — a reminder of the opacity that often surrounds such missions.
Against this backdrop, trade reporter Peggy Corlin examines another crucial relationship: the EU and the United States. One year after the Turnberry deal, the transatlantic partnership remains anything but smooth. For a deeper dive, read our analysis: One Year On: The Turnberry Trade Deal's Mixed Legacy for EU-US Relations.
UK's New Prime Minister: A Circuit-Breaker for Decline
New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to expand on his policy platform today, nearly 24 hours after being sworn in as the country's seventh prime minister in a decade. In his first public address on Monday, Burnham spoke without a lectern or notes, presenting himself as a man of the people — more unscripted and natural than his predecessors.
While he emphasised domestic politics, he made one noteworthy comment that should reassure NATO partners: “We will build more council homes — that is the fair and sustainable way to bring the welfare bill down. To meet our fiscal rules, and to honour our commitments on defence to our international partners.” He pledged a long-term plan to rebuild the country, arguing that Britain needed a “circuit-breaker” from decades of economic and political decline.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed his appointment, writing on X that they spoke about a range of topics. “We are both committed to bringing the EU and the UK closer and closer. Together, we will work towards a successful Summit that delivers for our businesses, our young people and our shared security,” she said.
Notably, the now-postponed EU-UK summit was originally scheduled for tomorrow, 22 July. Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics expects Burnham to give the relationship “more energy” than former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “When he was mayor of Greater Manchester, he made a number of statements suggesting a much closer relationship between the UK and the EU than Keir Starmer, who was really quite cautious about it,” Travers said.
Spanish Victory Parade: A Nation Celebrates
Following La Roja’s triumphant win at the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup on Sunday, the 26-man Spanish squad continued their victory parade on Monday. Spain dethroned Argentina by one goal in New Jersey in a nail-biting finale to a supersized tournament. The team was greeted by Spanish royalty and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid before boarding an open-top bus for a parade through the capital.
With Spain winning the 2024 European Football Championship and the women's team taking the 2023 FIFA World Cup title, many are wondering what Madrid’s secret is. Football pundit Pablo Montaño noted that while the men's team lacks mammoth stars, players like Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Pau Cubarsí operate like a well-oiled machine under coach Luis de la Fuente. “They work like an engine,” he said.
Meanwhile, FIFA has opened an investigation into the Argentine team following a brawl after the final whistle. Our expert said the reason is that the team “did not know how to lose”.
Belgium's National Day: Military Might on Display
For our readers in Belgium: Fijne Nationale Feestdag! Joyeuse Fête nationale! Schönen Nationalfeiertag! Belgium celebrates its national day today, 21 July 2026, with a military and civilian parade boasting brand-new drones and F-35 fighter jets, starting at 4 pm from Paleizenplein in the Royal Quarter.
What’s the point of such parades? Ian Lesser of the German Marshall Fund explained that military parades are designed to showcase a country’s “military and technological prowess” but can mean different things depending on the nation. “There's a world of difference between the parade in Belgium or parades in England or France, and parades in North Korea, China, or Russia,” he said. For Belgium, today’s procession offers an opportunity for the nation of 11 million people to project its modern identity as a unified country on the global stage.
Space and Defence: IRIS² Programme Advances
European Commissioner of Defence Andrius Kubilius travels to Warsaw, Poland today for a signing ceremony regarding contributions to the IRIS² programme. Poland is contributing PLN 211 million (€51 million) to develop the bloc’s flagship satellite constellation programme. This investment underscores the EU's growing focus on space-based defence and communication capabilities.
