Spain-China trade & diplomacy: A Spanish MEP urges the EU to “relaunch” ties with Beijing via dialogue, warning against a trade “bazooka” as Brussels tries to ease tensions. Auto industry & jobs: Ford and Geely formalised a Europe-focused JV at Ford’s Valencia plant to build multi-energy vehicles, with Geely taking 34% and the first models due in 2028; the deal is framed as a way to lift plant utilisation. EU-US trade shock: The US moves ahead with new double-digit tariffs on dozens of countries, including the EU, as forced-labour enforcement claims drive the latest round. Energy transition & storage: CATL signed a 2 GWh sodium-ion battery supply deal for Central and Eastern Europe, pushing low-temperature performance and faster deployment outside China. Defence procurement: Spain is extending the service life of its F-18 fleet to 2040, commissioning Indra to build avionics test benches after FCAS collapse and fighter shortages. Climate & risk: Wildfires across southern Europe have forced thousands to evacuate, with extreme heat and drought worsening the crisis. Business & markets: Asia stocks slid on sell-offs in AI-related shares as Brent pushed near $100 a barrel. Corporate Spain: Havas reported 2.5% organic growth in H1 2026, with North America and India offsetting weakness in parts of Asia-Pacific. Sports-business crossover: Manchester City denied Real Madrid made an official offer for Rodri, despite renewed summer speculation.