21/11/2025
EU Insight 21 November 2025
Brussels, 21 November 2025
TRADE TENSIONS AND CALLS FOR FOSSIL FUELS PHASE-OUT AT COP30
Trade policy and the phase-out of fossil fuels have come into sharp focus as COP30 continues in Belém. Notably, EU climate trade measures, especially the carbon border levy (CBAM), have drawn criticism from countries including India, Saudia Arabia and China, raising concerns that such rules could disadvantage exporters and hamper global cooperation. Meanwhile, over 80 countries, including many EU Member States, have called for a clear global roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. In parallel, the European Parliament engaged in high-level discussions to further the EU’s climate ambitions, including support for fossil fuel phase-out and increased climate finance. Commissioner Hoekstra also participated this week, reaffirming the EU’s climate commitments, calling for a faster transition and enhanced international cooperation to keep global targets within reach.
COMMISSION PROPOSES SIMPLIFICATION OF DIGITAL RULES IN NEW OMNIBUS PACKAGE
The Commission has presented its long-awaited digital omnibus package, aiming to simplify EU rules on AI, data protection and cybersecurity. The package proposes delaying implementation of the AI Act to provide businesses with temporary relief, but uncertainty remains as the start date for high-risk AI obligations could shift depending on harmonised standards’ adoption. The Commission also proposes consolidations to other key digital rules, such as the Data Act, with clearer obligations for gatekeepers and data intermediaries, and introducing a single EU portal for cyber-incident reporting. Such package is complemented by the Data Union Strategy, which aims to streamline AI access to data, and the proposed European Business Wallet legislation, which intends to ensure economic operators and public administrations alike have access to secure and reliable digital identification solutions that operate across borders.
COMMISSION PRESENTS ‘MILITARY SCHENGEN’ AND DEFENCE INDUSTRY MODERNISATION PLAN
The Commission has announced a new Military Mobility Package, aiming to establish an EU-wide framework enabling faster and more coordinated movement of military personnel and equipment across Europe by 2027. The proposal introduces streamlined procedures for cross-border troop and asset transfers, emergency access to infrastructure via the new European Military Mobility Enhanced Response System (EMERS), upgrades to dual-use transport routes, and a solidarity mechanism to boost Member States’ readiness. Alongside the package, the Commission unveiled the Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap, seeking to foster disruptive innovation in defence, focusing investment on new technologies, boosting research and development, and strengthening workforce skills to reinforce Europe’s defence ecosystem.
COMMISSION UNVEILS ITS 2030 CONSUMER AGENDA TO BETTER PROTECT CONSUMERS
The Commission presented the 2030 Consumer Agenda, setting out the EU’s strategic direction for consumer policy over the next five years. The strategy is built around four main areas of priorities, namely single market for consumers, digital fairness and consumer protection online, sustainable consumption, and stronger enforcement. Planned actions include steps to strengthen consumer protection online, particularly for children, greater support for making informed choices about sustainable products and measures to safeguards consumers from greenwashing. The agenda also includes measures to tackle unsafe and non-compliant products, combatting online fraud and a commitment to better coordinate enforcement across Member States. Looking ahead, the Commission will engage with stakeholders and national authorities to regularly review progress.
BIG TECH COMPANIES INVESTIGATED UNDER DIGITAL MARKETS ACT
The Commission has launched several proceedings under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), targeting alleged unfair business practices of major Big Tech companies. Two separate investigations will assess whether Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure should be classified as ‘gatekeepers’ in the cloud computing sector, even though they do not currently meet the DMA’s quantitative thresholds. A broader inquiry will examine the effectiveness of the DMA in addressing competition and fairness concerns across the cloud services market, including possible issues like limited interoperability and data access for business users. Additionally, the Commission opened formal proceedings into Google Search, reviewing whether its ranking policies unfairly impact publishers by potentially demoting content from news and media partners.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
- 24 November: Foreign Affairs Council. On the agenda: EU-US trade relations, EU-China trade relations, ongoing bilateral trade negotiations.
- 24-27 November: European Parliament Plenary Session. On the agenda: European Defence Industry Programme, Democracy Shield, violence against women, EU-China trade relations, COP30.
- 25 November: College of Commissioners. On the agenda: Bioeconomy Strategy, European Semester Autumn package.
- 27-28 November: Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council. On the agenda: Europe Education Area, Erasmus+ 2028-2034, vocational education and training, resilience among young people.
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