11/07/2025
EU Insight 11 July 2025
Brussels, 11 July 2025
VON DER LEYEN SURVIVES NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE IN PARLIAMENT
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her College survived a rare parliamentary motion of censure, as MEPs rejected a far-right-initiated bid to force her resignation. The vote, tabled over her refusal to release text messages with Pfizer’s CEO during the COVID-19 pandemic and broader accusations of undermining Parliament, was supported by 175 MEPs, far below the required 361 votes for dismissal. Most centrist, liberal, and green MEPs opposed the motion, despite frustration at what they see as the Commission’s rightward drift and recent decisions on the Green Deal. The Socialists opted to vote against after securing budget guarantees on social funding from von der Leyen, allowing the Commission to remain in place but highlighting growing divisions among mainstream parties.
EU-US TRADE TALKS STRETCH AS WASHINGTON EXTENDS TARIFF DEADLINE
The Trump administration postponed its deadline for raising tariffs on EU goods, giving negotiators until August 1 to reach a new trade agreement. While Washington has floated an offer to set a 10% baseline tariff, with limited exemptions for sensitive sectors like aircraft and spirits, the EU remains cautious, seeking broader protections and wary of potential last-minute US reversals. Commission President von der Leyen spoke with President Trump as talks intensified with EU leaders aiming to secure an agreement in principle before the new cutoff date. Although progress is reported, Brussels has not received firm guarantees that more disruptive tariffs will be avoided, keeping plans for countermeasures on hold for now.
COMMISSION LAUNCHES STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE EU CRISIS PREPAREDNESS
The Commission has launched two strategies aimed at strengthening the EU’s ability to deal with future emergencies. The new Stockpiling Strategy sets out to link national reserves into a coordinated EU network, enabling faster delivery of essentials like food, fuel and medical supplies. Alongside this, a Medical Countermeasures Strategy outlines a so-called EU ‘medicine cabinet’ consisting of critical vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics, supported by investments in rapid research and close cooperation with defence ministries. To ensure equitable access during crises, the Commission is considering reforms to joint procurement rules and plans to issue new crisis-purchasing guidelines by 2026. These initiatives form part of the broader Preparedness Union agenda to boost resilience across the EU.
COMMISSION UNVEILS ACTION PLAN TO BOOST CHEMICALS INDUSTRY COMPETITIVENESS
The Commission has presented a new Action Plan to address persistent challenges facing Europe’s chemicals sector, including high energy costs and global competition. The plan is part of the broader drive to strengthen European industrial competitiveness and accelerate the clean transition. It includes a sixth ‘omnibus’ package to simplify legislation and reduce compliance burdens for companies. To underpin better governance, the Commission also proposes new powers and financial stability for the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The strategy aims to foster clean innovation, support the use of safer chemicals, and advance work on restricting harmful PFAS substances, while maintaining access for critical applications where needed.
COMMISSION FINALISES REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR LOW-CARBON HYDROGEN
The Commission has completed the EU’s regulatory framework for hydrogen by introducing a new detailed greenhouse gas emission methodology for low-carbon hydrogen and fuels. The new rules require low-carbon hydrogen to achieve at least a 70% reduction in emissions compared to fossil fuels. This long-awaited measure aims to provide legal clarity for industry and unlock investment, as set out in the Clean Industrial Deal. The rules are designed to support the scale-up of hydrogen production and help decarbonise sectors where electrification is challenging, such as aviation, shipping and heavy industry. The Commission sees the development of a competitive hydrogen market as key to reaching the EU’s climate neutrality targets by 2050.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
- 14 July: Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Danish Presidency work Programme, Market situation, Proteins for food and feed.
- 14 July: EU-Central America Association Council.
- 14 July: Foreign Affairs Council (Trade): EU-US Trade Relations, Trade Negotiations, EU-China Trade Relations.
- 15 July: Foreign Affairs Council: Russian aggression against Ukraine, Georgia, Middle East, New Pact for the Mediterranean.
- 16 July: College of Commissioners: Post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, White Paper on the review of the EU anti-fraud architecture.
- 16-18 July: Informal meeting of research ministers and ministers for internal market and industry.
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