China in Europe: September 2025
In September 2025, China imposed steep tariffs on EU pork, while Foreign Minister Wang Yi toured Central Europe amid rising tensions with Russia, and accusations of spying were dropped in London.
US Withdrawal from Anti-Disinformation Program
The United States informed Europe that it would withdraw from a joint initiative to counter foreign disinformation, particularly targeting China, Iran, and Russia.
- The program was managed by the Global Engagement Center (GEC) within the State Department.
- The GEC was formally dismantled in late 2024.
A “unilateral act of disarmament” in the information war with China and Russia - James Rubin, former GEC head.
A State Department notice informed European capitals that the 2014 memoranda of understanding to unify American and European approaches to disinformation had been nullified.
Author's summary: US exits anti-disinformation program.