The Economist Continental Europe Edition July 18, 2020

Infections continued to soar in America, to over 60,000 cases a day. Florida reported the largest daily increase of any state since the start of the pandemic. California reimposed many of the curbs it had only recently lifted. The death toll in Latin America surpassed 145,000, overtaking that in the United States. Only Europe has suffered more deaths—over 200,000. The regional government in Catalonia put in place restrictions on areas where the disease has flared up again. A judge said only the Spanish government in Madrid could impose lockdowns. Masks are to be compulsory in shops in England from July 24th. Boris Johnson wore a mask in public for the first time, as did Donald Trump. South Africa banned sales of alcohol, to free up intensive-care beds for covid-19 patients. For our latest coverage of…

Politics Donald Trump signed an executive order ending Hong Kong’s privileged trading status with America, in response to China’s imposition of a crushing national-security law. Under new legislation, banks aiding officials who implement the law may face sanctions, as may the officials. Separately, China announced sanctions against American officials, including Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, two Republican senators. The move was in retaliation against American penalties on Chinese politicians for abusing the human rights of China’s Uighur citizens. Jeff Sessions was clobbered in Alabama’s Republican Senate primary by Tommy Tuberville. Mr Sessions, a senator for 20 years until 2017, was an early supporter of Donald Trump, who made him attorney-general. His decision to recuse himself from investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election made the president turn on him.…

Politics Donald Trump signed an executive order ending Hong Kong’s privileged trading status with America, in response to China’s imposition of a crushing national-security law. Under new legislation, banks aiding officials who implement the law may face sanctions, as may the officials. Separately, China announced sanctions against American officials, including Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, two Republican senators. The move was in retaliation against American penalties on Chinese politicians for abusing the human rights of China’s Uighur citizens. Jeff Sessions was clobbered in Alabama’s Republican Senate primary by Tommy Tuberville. Mr Sessions, a senator for 20 years until 2017, was an early supporter of Donald Trump, who made him attorney-general. His decision to recuse himself from investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election made the president turn on him. Chinese officials accused pro-democracy…

Infections continued to soar in America, to over 60,000 cases a day. Florida reported the largest daily increase of any state since the start of the pandemic. California reimposed many of the curbs it had only recently lifted. The death toll in Latin America surpassed 145,000, overtaking that in the United States. Only Europe has suffered more deaths—over 200,000. The regional government in Catalonia put in place restrictions on areas where the disease has flared up again. A judge said only the Spanish government in Madrid could impose lockdowns. Masks are to be compulsory in shops in England from July 24th. Boris Johnson wore a mask in public for the first time, as did Donald Trump. South Africa banned sales of alcohol, to free up intensive-care beds for covid-19 patients.…

NINETEEN YEARS ago an unknown Chinese company set up its first European sales offices, in a suburb of Frankfurt and an English commuter town, and started bidding to build telecoms networks. Today Huawei symbolises the daunting rise of China Inc—and a global trading system in which trust has collapsed. With sales of $123bn, it is known for its razor-sharp prices and dedication to the industrial goals of China’s rulers. Since 2018 America has subjected it to a legal assault, making it a flashpoint in the trade war. Now Britain has said that it will block Huawei from its 5G networks (see Briefing). Other European countries may follow. But far from showing the West’s resolve, the saga reveals its lack of a coherent strategy. If open societies and authoritarian China are…

NINETEEN YEARS ago an unknown Chinese company set up its first European sales offices, in a suburb of Frankfurt and an English commuter town, and started bidding to build telecoms networks. Today Huawei symbolises the daunting rise of China Inc—and a global trading system in which trust has collapsed. With sales of $123bn, it is known for its razor-sharp prices and dedication to the industrial goals of China’s rulers. Since 2018 America has subjected it to a legal assault, making it a flashpoint in the trade war. Now Britain has said that it will block Huawei from its 5G networks (see Briefing). Other European countries may follow. But far from showing the West’s resolve, the saga reveals its lack of a coherent strategy. If open societies and authoritarian China are…