China’s AI ‘shock’, EU ‘kill switch’, Ukraine hope, Mbappe fiasco: 7 global relations reads

From a footballer’s faux pas to an EU ‘kill switch’, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in October 2026

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. China warns EU not to ‘fantasise’ on trade approach after ‘kill switch’ threat

Beijing warned Brussels not to “fantasise” that taking a hard line will force it into concessions, as the bloc confirmed plans for a gung-ho new “kill switch” that would allow Brussels to “immediately” kick China out of the single market.

2. US troops in South Korea must be ready for missions beyond peninsula: commander

The commander of the US Eighth Army in South Korea said his troops must be ready for deployment outside the Korean peninsula if ordered, arguing that it would be “irresponsible” to focus “myopically” on threats there.