Ursula von der Leyen seeks EU tax boost and foreign policy revamp

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU leaders in Cork, Ireland that new taxes or other revenues are needed to fund the 2028‑2034 multi‑annual financial framework and avoid deep budget cuts. She warned that the EU is prepared to take "any" commercial measures against China after the current dispute‑resolution deadline expires in the autumn.

Von der Leyen is also reportedly preparing a restructuring of the bloc’s external action, proposing a new super‑department that would absorb the European External Action Service and place its competences under direct Commission control, thereby reducing the role of High Representative Kaja Kallas. The move reflects ongoing tensions within the EU over how to coordinate foreign policy in crises such as the war in Ukraine and the recent Iran incident.