by EuroNews
It’s published
•update
Important diary dates
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Tuesday, July 29th: Meeting of the EU Council’s Trade Policy Committee.
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Tuesday, July 30th 29-Wednesday: Multiple Financial Framework, a meeting of the EU Council’s Ad-hoc Working Group on the EU’s long-term budget.
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Saturday, August 2nd: Artificial intelligence will take effect from EU rules on general purpose.
In the spotlight
As EU agencies suspended their activities for the summer, the EU Council continues to watch behind the scenes this week on two key issues: US trade and the EU long-term budget.
If the early response to a deal struck by the Presidents of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump is likely to have some sort of barbed wire response when the Commission meets Tuesday.
The different approach to negotiations between EU members has undoubtedly been one of the key weaknesses of the EU negotiation team. For example, how can we threaten the use of anti-course equipment if France and Germany remain in conflict over whether to use them for a long period of negotiation?
But if it’s a weakness in negotiations, now that the ink is dry with consent, it could also make von der Reyen’s team a Debbir von der Reyen team. As detailed readings of transactions become clearer, the Commission becomes keen to ensure that snipers from member states put effective implementation at risk.
Earlier this month, the European Commission began a laborious process surrounding the multi-year financial framework, the EU’s next seven-year budget, which proposes nearly two-person euros for “new challenges” between 2028 and 2034.
It will again occupy the council this week, with the usual, intense debate expected behind the scenes between the “frugal” EU members and net spending countries.
The point of difference usually encloses numbers allocated across different budget pots, but this time around the committee’s proposals, adding another dimension to what is usually considered one of the most cumbersome negotiations.
If agricultural subsidies were previously transferred to poor areas and were locally managed, under the proposal, these will be provided through national plans proposed by member states, reflecting the way in which the post-pandemic recovery fund is distributed.
The change may have been well received at least across member states, at least to increase the power of government in the region.
Policy briefings will be suspended in the summer and will return on August 25th.
Policy News Maker
AI Tech Giant Coders?
Before it has impacted new rules for General purpose artificial intelligence (GPAI) into force (before it affects tools like ChatGpt and Gemini), there’s a clear picture of where companies stand when it comes to signing up for EU voluntary codes of practice in GPAI. The US big technology giant Meta has denounced the rules to curb innovation, with chief global affairs officer Joel Caplan saying “Europe is on the wrong path for AI.” Meanwhile, Microsoft president Brad Smith said his company is likely to sign. Smith said earlier this year that Microsoft wants to be a “voice of reason” as geopolitical tensions grow.
