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This is the tenth edition of an annual EPRS paper aimed at identifying and framing many of the key issues and policy areas that will feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union over the coming year. The topics analysed encompass, the next long term EU budget, Ukraine's integration into the EU, defence, EU-China relations, the impact of artificial intelligence on the web, the potential of startup companies, irregular migration, climate policy, action for ...

On 3 November 2025, China submitted its nationally determined contribution (NDC) towards 2035 under the Paris Agreement. It is the first time that China has committed to absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions. Having been classified as a non-Annex I Party in 1992, along with other developing countries, China has a lower climate action obligation under the UN climate change convention. However, China's economic development since then has increased not only its prosperity but also its share ...

China’s data security and privacy laws – the CSL, DSL, and PIPL – create compliance challenges for European companies, especially SMEs. Strategic ambiguity in legislation allows discretion in enforcement, varying across regions and sectors. Cross-border data transfer rules add complexity, with Hong Kong and Macao implementing their own laws. While US firms face stringent CSL enforcement, cases against European firms under PIPL appear to be less politicised. Influenced by GDPR and Asian cybersecurity ...

This briefing assesses the economic, financial, and monetary implications of the tariffs announced by the Trump administration for the EU. Starting with an overview of US measures and EU countermeasures, it analyses the impact on the EU economy across sectors and member states, explains monetary policy challenges for the ECB, and discusses strategic options for European policymakers. As the situation evolves rapidly, the assessment provided in this briefing reflects information available as of 15 ...

The European Parliament's July 2025 plenary session featured a debate on Parliament's expectations for the EU's post-2027 long-term budget ahead of the Commission's proposal. Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen presented the programme of activities of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, which began on 1 July 2025. Members then discussed the conclusions of the 26 June European Council meeting with António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President ...

The European Union (EU) is seeking to boost its competitiveness to help ensure the well-being of its society in the face of global challenges. Central to this objective is the EU's innovation ecosystem, which has fallen behind the United States (US) and China. As innovative European companies grow, they struggle to attract the necessary technical and financial support within the continent. The European Commission plans to put forward a legislative proposal for a 28th regime as part of a programme ...

Following increasing pressure from members of his own party and a period of low opinion poll ratings, Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau announced his resignation from the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada on 6 January 2025. Mark Carney, his successor as prime minister of Canada, and new leader of the Liberal Party, has called a snap parliamentary election for 28 April. This year's election will mark a decade of Liberal Party rule in Canada, a period with significant political, economic ...

Within just two decades, China has transformed from an insignificant player to a dominant force in Latin America, alongside the United States (US) and the European Union (EU). Predictions suggest that by 2035, China may even overtake the US as Latin America's most important trading partner. China has been South America's top trading partner for quite some time. The region holds strategic importance for the future of the global economy due to its abundance of resources and critical raw materials, ...

The European electric vehicle (EV) industry is facing fierce competition from China. The question is what this will mean for the future of European EVs. This paper provides an overview of EU-China competition in this industry and presents four scenarios for the future of European EVs by 2030. Will European EVs survive, thrive or perish in the face of Chinese competition and other challenges?

The Third Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) took place in Beijing from 15 to 18 July 2024. Previous third plenums, especially the one in 1978, played central roles in the promotion of economic policies and reforms. Economic data published by China's Bureau of Statistics very shortly before the start of the Plenum paint a very sobering picture of the state of China's economy. While exports in June performed well, imports decreased in year-on-year terms, likely ...