FT News Briefing China lends Cuba a helping hand
42 snips
Apr 7, 2026 
Jude Weber, FT journalist on Cuba and Latin America, and Henry Foy, the FT’s Brussels bureau chief, dig into Cuba’s blackouts and its growing dependence on Chinese solar imports. They also explore Europe’s scramble to cushion energy bills, fears of higher inflation and weaker public finances, plus a sharp slowdown in private equity buyouts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
EU Fears Energy Subsidies Could Deepen Fiscal Stress
- EU officials fear broad fuel subsidies will turn an energy shock into both higher inflation and a deeper fiscal problem.
- Henry Foy says countries already strained by Covid and the 2022 crisis now face a third shock, with Spain spending €5.8bn and Poland losing about €350mn monthly.
AI Fears Are Dragging Down Private Equity Deals
- Private equity buyouts fell sharply as investors worry AI could make parts of the software sector obsolete.
- Deal value hit $172bn in the first quarter, down 36% quarter on quarter, threatening one of buyout firms' most profitable hunting grounds.
Chinese Solar Has Become Cuba's Energy Lifeline
- Chinese solar imports have become Cuba's energy lifeline as oil shortages push its grid toward collapse.
- Jude Weber says Cuba imported 1 gigawatt of solar in a year, a meaningful offset against average daily electricity deficits of roughly 1,500 megawatts.