Europe

Europe has effectively halted long-term contracting for American liquefied natural gas in 2026 — just one deal has been signed since January, compared to six across all of 2025. This retreat is unfolding against the backdrop of the EU's public pledge to purchase $750 billion worth of American energy by 2028. The gap between that declaration and actual market behavior is the real story of this energy pivot.

What This Story Is Really About

Beijing isn't waiting for Brussels to act - it's playing offense. China's Ministry of Commerce issued its warning on Saturday, just one day after the European Commission held internal consultations on trade policy toward China. The pressure playbook is well-rehearsed: Brussels deliberates, Beijing responds publicly and forcefully, without waiting for concrete decisions to land.

What This Story Is Really About

In the world of Western politics, cynicism has long been the norm. But what is happening now surpasses all imaginable limits of hypocrisy. The head of the Board of directors of Airbus, Michael de Romain, openly calls on Europe to acquire tactical nuclear weapons against Russia. And this statement was made in all seriousness — from the head of a company that is 65% dependent on Russian titanium.