The EU and US are heading towards a confrontation over international criminal justice. Washington has sanctioned the ICC as an institution, while the EU demands a reversal and considers protective measures. A 180-day exemption provides room for diplomacy, but fundamental differences remain.
Brussels, 9 October 2026 The Council today formally appointed Carlo Comporti as chair of the
The EU Commission has selected 46 new strategic projects in 16 Member States under the Critical Raw Materials Act, bringing the EU total to 93. Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné outlined progress on permitting, financing and supply diversification, with more than €2 billion in public funding made available. He called for stronger European purchasing commitments and announced further measures to secure critical raw materials supply chains.
The EU and China reached initial trade understandings during talks in Beijing between Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Minister Wang Wentao. Šefčovič also met Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng. The outcomes include a potential halving of Chinese hybrid car exports to the EU, lower tariffs on EU goods worth nearly €4 billion and easier rare earth export licensing. Both sides agreed to pursue further negotiations on market access, export controls and WTO reform.
The EU Parliament’s lead co-rapporteurs on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) Siegfried Mureșan (EPP, RO) and Carla Tavares (S&D, PT) firmly reject the draft negotiating position emerging from the EU Council Presidency. Together with Parliament’s co-rapporteurs on own resources, Danuše Nerudová (EPP, CZ) and Sandra Gómez López (S&D, ES), they have issue a joint statement. Delve into the details.
The EU and US are heading towards a confrontation over international criminal justice. Washington has sanctioned the ICC as an institution, while the EU demands a reversal and considers protective measures. A 180-day exemption provides room for diplomacy, but fundamental differences remain.
The EU Council has formally adopted the Defence Omnibus V package, simplifying defence procurement, investments and intra-EU transfers of military equipment. The new rules limit permitting procedures for defence readiness projects to 102 working days, introduce tacit approval mechanisms and ease access to European Defence Fund financing. They also facilitate joint procurement, strengthen support for SMEs and simplify environmental and chemical regulatory requirements.
The EU Council has formally adopted amendments to the market stability reserve (MSR) for the new emissions trading system covering buildings, road transport and smaller industries (ETS2). The rules double the release of allowances to 40 million when carbon prices exceed €45 per tonne, extend the reserve beyond 2030 and introduce more flexible interventions to limit price volatility ahead of ETS2’s launch in 2028.
EU finance ministers agreed key elements of the Market Integration and Supervision Package to deepen the Savings and Investments Union and facilitate cross-border investment. The ECOFIN Council also discussed banking competitiveness, endorsed Czechia’s revised fiscal plan and extended Greece’s fiscal flexibility for energy security. Ministers updated the EU tax blacklist, adopted COP31 climate finance conclusions and reviewed the final phase of the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Brussels, 9 October 2026 The Council today formally appointed Carlo Comporti as chair of the
The EU Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Eaton Corporation plc’s mobility business by Dana Incorporated (‘Dana’), both of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the automotive parts sector.
The EU Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Posco Flow Europe D.o.o. of Slovenia and LX Pantos Poland Sp. z o.o. of Poland. The transaction relates primarily to logistics and supply-chain management services in Poland and the wider central European region.
The EU Commission has approved two French State aid schemes worth €40.5 million to support transport, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture companies facing higher fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. Under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), eligible businesses can access state-guaranteed loans of up to €50,000 at a fixed interest rate of 3.8%.
Concluding its 2026 Article IV Consultation with Hungary, the IMF expects economic growth of 2% but warns that the budget deficit could reach 7–7.5% of GDP. The release of €16 billion in previously frozen EU funds offers an opportunity to revive investment and productivity. The IMF urges fiscal consolidation, tax and structural reforms, while stressing that the government’s euro adoption ambitions cannot substitute for comprehensive economic reforms.
The EU Council has removed Panama and Viet Nam from its list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions following progress on tax transparency, moving both countries to a monitoring list. Vanuatu remains blacklisted despite improvements, while Anguilla faces additional scrutiny. The updated blacklist comprises eight jurisdictions, including Russia, while ten others remain under monitoring for outstanding tax governance commitments.
The EU Commission is introducing temporary trade preferences for Armenia in response to Russian trade restrictions, easing access to the EU market for two years. The measures cover almost 80% of Armenian exports to the EU, including fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers, as well as over 91% of beverage and spirits exports. Safeguards will protect EU producers against adverse market effects.
The EU Commission has selected 46 new strategic projects in 16 Member States under the Critical Raw Materials Act, bringing the EU total to 93. Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné outlined progress on permitting, financing and supply diversification, with more than €2 billion in public funding made available. He called for stronger European purchasing commitments and announced further measures to secure critical raw materials supply chains.
Zaragoza (Spain) will be the European Green Capital in 2028. The European Green Leaf, the award for smaller cities, went to Benidorm (Spain) and Estarreja (Portugal). The expert jury crowned Zaragoza for strong governance and long-term commitment, helping the city respond successfully to growing climate challenges.
The EU Commission has selected 46 new strategic projects in 16 Member States under the Critical Raw Materials Act, bringing the EU total to 93. Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné outlined progress on permitting, financing and supply diversification, with more than €2 billion in public funding made available. He called for stronger European purchasing commitments and announced further measures to secure critical raw materials supply chains.
The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) has announced seven Horizon Europe calls worth €576.3 million for industrial and digital innovation. Funding targets advanced materials, clean industrial technologies, critical raw materials, AI research, photonics and digital infrastructure. The calls also support industrial decarbonisation, AI-powered energy systems and a European AI media platform, with applications opening from October.
The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) is supporting six projects developing reusable rockets, smart engines, re-entry systems and advanced testing technologies. Funded under Horizon Europe, the initiatives aim to strengthen Europe’s independent access to space and improve the competitiveness of its space industry.
Europol warns that future quantum computers could expose cryptocurrency wallets and decrypt sensitive data harvested years earlier. Two new reports call for early migration to post-quantum cryptography, stronger key management and phased protection of high-value systems, stressing that preparation must begin before quantum capabilities become operational.
Stay ahead of EU financial and regulatory developments. This preview of the latest Insight EU Finance Monitoring Weekly provides an overview of the week’s key dossiers from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, the Eurogroup, the ECB, EBA, ESMA, IMF, BIS, and other key European and global institutions. The full version of this monitoring was originally sent to subscribers on 3 October 2026.
The EU Commission has registered a European Citizens’ Initiative calling for a sovereign “.IA” namespace for AI governance, linked to eIDAS 2.0, the AI Act and GDPR. Organisers also want EU-level talks with ISO and ICANN and a framework for high-trust AI spaces and sandboxes. They now need one million signatures from at least seven Member States.
The EU Commission has proposed a new Standardisation Regulation to cut average standards development from six to four years, widen SME participation and make harmonised standards referenced in EU law freely accessible. The reform also strengthens international coordination as the EU seeks greater influence over standards in strategic technologies such as AI, cyber and batteries.
The ECB aims to be ready for a potential first issuance of the digital euro in 2029, assuming EU legislation is completed by the end of 2026. A 12-month pilot with 36 payment providers is planned from the second half of 2027, while Pontes and Appia will extend central bank money into tokenised finance and support a more integrated European digital financial system.
Ireland’s International AI Summit will bring together EU policymakers and global technology leaders to debate Europe’s AI competitiveness, enterprise adoption, skills, infrastructure and trusted regulation. Speakers include Henna Virkkunen, Demis Hassabis, Sarah Friar, Brad Smith and Michael McGrath.
The AI boom is increasingly financing itself. BIS data show that almost half of AI-to-AI investment value also involves commercial supply-chain relationships, creating what could be described as “artificial inbreeding”. The structures can secure critical inputs and align incentives, but may obscure genuine demand, concentrate exposures and amplify financial stress.
Global robot deployment accelerated in 2025, data of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) show. Professional service robot sales rose 24%, while factories now operate a record 5 million industrial robots. China extended its lead and the US moved into second place, while installations declined in Germany, Italy, France and Spain.
The EU Commission appointed Tanya Chetcuti as Director for Digital Workplace and Infrastructure within its Directorate-General for Digital Services (DG DIGIT). This department provides the digital backbone of the organisation, interconnecting people, data and processes across European Institutions and Member States and underpinning secure operations and EU policy implementation.
U.S. President Trump claims an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply 4.8 million tonnes of diesel to lower prices. The Kremlin describes only a willingness to supply oil products, without confirming volumes or delivery dates. Moscow instead emphasises Ukraine, Iran and broader bilateral cooperation.
The EU and US are heading towards a confrontation over international criminal justice. Washington has sanctioned the ICC as an institution, while the EU demands a reversal and considers protective measures. A 180-day exemption provides room for diplomacy, but fundamental differences remain.
The EU Council has formally adopted the Defence Omnibus V package, simplifying defence procurement, investments and intra-EU transfers of military equipment. The new rules limit permitting procedures for defence readiness projects to 102 working days, introduce tacit approval mechanisms and ease access to European Defence Fund financing. They also facilitate joint procurement, strengthen support for SMEs and simplify environmental and chemical regulatory requirements.
The EU Commission is introducing temporary trade preferences for Armenia in response to Russian trade restrictions, easing access to the EU market for two years. The measures cover almost 80% of Armenian exports to the EU, including fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers, as well as over 91% of beverage and spirits exports. Safeguards will protect EU producers against adverse market effects.
The EU Parliament refuses to recognise Russia’s newly elected State Duma as legitimate, condemning widespread electoral violations, political repression and voting held in occupied Ukrainian, Georgian and Moldovan territories. In a resolution adopted by 482 votes to 41, MEPs urge EU Member States to reject official contacts with the Duma, impose further sanctions on Russian officials and maintain pressure on Moscow over its war against Ukraine.
The EU and China reached initial trade understandings during talks in Beijing between Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Minister Wang Wentao. Šefčovič also met Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng. The outcomes include a potential halving of Chinese hybrid car exports to the EU, lower tariffs on EU goods worth nearly €4 billion and easier rare earth export licensing. Both sides agreed to pursue further negotiations on market access, export controls and WTO reform.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has detained 62 suspects and conducted more than 300 searches across eight EU countries in Operation Hermes. Two transnational criminal networks allegedly used mobile phone and electronics trading to orchestrate VAT carousel fraud causing at least €410 million in tax losses. Authorities also executed seizure orders worth up to €310 million.
The European Parliament has raised concerns that the OECD’s Side-by-Side tax agreement with the US could weaken the global minimum corporate tax framework. MEPs call for an assessment of potential revenue losses, simpler EU corporate tax rules, a review of the BEFIT proposal and continued international cooperation on digital taxation.
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling for stronger scrutiny of Islamist networks, tighter controls on EU funding and closer cross-border cooperation. MEPs also urge the Council to assess Muslim Brotherhood-linked entities for possible terrorist listing, while emphasising religious freedom and protection against discrimination.
European Council President António Costa has outlined an agenda focused on high energy prices, competitiveness and the EU’s 2028–2034 budget. Leaders will also address Ukraine’s winter needs, defence readiness, migration, enlargement and Middle East tensions, with the aim of advancing key decisions before year-end.
The US Federal Reserve has issued a cease-and-desist order against American Express over deficiencies in anti-money laundering controls, suspicious activity reporting and sanctions compliance. The firm must submit remediation plans within 90 days, while its banking subsidiary faces a separate enforcement action and penalty.
Europol warns that future quantum computers could expose cryptocurrency wallets and decrypt sensitive data harvested years earlier. Two new reports call for early migration to post-quantum cryptography, stronger key management and phased protection of high-value systems, stressing that preparation must begin before quantum capabilities become operational.
AMLA has launched a consultation on draft regulatory technical standards for a central EU-wide AML/CFT database. The system will allow supervisors to report and retrieve information on obliged entities, risks and supervisory activity, with automated reporting where possible and a staged application of the new requirements.
U.S. President Trump claims an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply 4.8 million tonnes of diesel to lower prices. The Kremlin describes only a willingness to supply oil products, without confirming volumes or delivery dates. Moscow instead emphasises Ukraine, Iran and broader bilateral cooperation.
The EU Council has formally adopted amendments to the market stability reserve (MSR) for the new emissions trading system covering buildings, road transport and smaller industries (ETS2). The rules double the release of allowances to 40 million when carbon prices exceed €45 per tonne, extend the reserve beyond 2030 and introduce more flexible interventions to limit price volatility ahead of ETS2’s launch in 2028.
The EU Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Eaton Corporation plc’s mobility business by Dana Incorporated (‘Dana’), both of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the automotive parts sector.
The EU Commission has approved two French State aid schemes worth €40.5 million to support transport, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture companies facing higher fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. Under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), eligible businesses can access state-guaranteed loans of up to €50,000 at a fixed interest rate of 3.8%.
Zaragoza (Spain) will be the European Green Capital in 2028. The European Green Leaf, the award for smaller cities, went to Benidorm (Spain) and Estarreja (Portugal). The expert jury crowned Zaragoza for strong governance and long-term commitment, helping the city respond successfully to growing climate challenges.
The EU Commission has selected 46 new strategic projects in 16 Member States under the Critical Raw Materials Act, bringing the EU total to 93. Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné outlined progress on permitting, financing and supply diversification, with more than €2 billion in public funding made available. He called for stronger European purchasing commitments and announced further measures to secure critical raw materials supply chains.
The EU and China reached initial trade understandings during talks in Beijing between Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Minister Wang Wentao. Šefčovič also met Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng. The outcomes include a potential halving of Chinese hybrid car exports to the EU, lower tariffs on EU goods worth nearly €4 billion and easier rare earth export licensing. Both sides agreed to pursue further negotiations on market access, export controls and WTO reform.
Two independent reports by the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) warn of serious risks to Europe’s energy security this winter. EUISS points to low gas reserves, soaring fuel prices and Russian hybrid attacks, urging coordinated demand reduction, faster electrification and stronger infrastructure protection. Published two days later, ENTSOG’s winter outlook reinforces concerns over gas supply security.
The European Commission has approved an €8 million Maltese State aid scheme for high-speed maritime transport between Malta and Sicily. With marine fuel prices rising by 86% in March compared with January, the scheme will cover up to 70% of additional fuel costs under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF).
The European Commission has allocated €134.8 million from the EU Solidarity Fund to Spain and Romania following major natural disasters in 2025. Spain will receive €120.5 million for wildfire recovery, while Romania will get €14.3 million to address flood damage, including at the Praid Salt Mine.
European Council President António Costa has outlined an agenda focused on high energy prices, competitiveness and the EU’s 2028–2034 budget. Leaders will also address Ukraine’s winter needs, defence readiness, migration, enlargement and Middle East tensions, with the aim of advancing key decisions before year-end.
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