CIDA Launches Latest EU Observer: Key EU Developments at a Glance for Managers

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CIDA Manager, the Italian member organisation of CEC European Managers, shares the latest edition of the EU Observer, a biweekly monitoring document that highlights key developments in EU policy.

Through the EU Observer, CIDA Manager provides curated insights into legislative trends, strategic decisions, and socioeconomic shifts that shape the working environment for managers in Italy and beyond.

The latest edition of the EU Observer, covering the period from March 31 to April 14, 2025, reflects a particularly dynamic phase of EU action.

From macroeconomic developments and updates on cohesion and trade policies, to unfolding conversations around Artificial Intelligence and energy security, the document offers a concise yet comprehensive view of the EU agenda.

Here is a translated version of the content gathered by CIDA’s document:

Economic & Financial Affairs

  • 31 March: The European Commission approved 135 new projects under the Technical Support Instrument to help Member States implement their reform agendas.

  • 1 April: According to Eurostat estimates, annual inflation in the Eurozone in March is expected to be 2.2%, down from 2.3% in February.

  • 4 April: Eurostat data showed that the household savings rate in the Eurozone for Q4 2024 was 15.3%, consistent with the 2024 average.

  • 8 April: The European Commission raised €8 billion in EU bonds during its fourth syndicated transaction of 2025. The funds will finance EU programmes, particularly NextGenerationEU and support for Ukraine.

Agriculture & Fisheries

  • 7 April: The Council adopted its position under the ordinary legislative procedure to begin interinstitutional negotiations on a regulation proposal concerning new rules on unfair trading practices between companies in the agri-food supply chain.

Environment & Climate

  • 3 April: The European Parliament adopted its first reading position under the ordinary legislative procedure on the directive proposal amending the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, aiming to postpone the application of certain provisions.

EU Budget

  • 2 April: European Parliament resolution on general guidelines for drafting the 2026 budget, Section III (European Commission).

  • 3 April: EP resolution on the draft estimates of Parliament revenue and expenditure for the 2026 financial year.

Competition

  • 8 April: The European Commission published the 2024 State Aid Scoreboard, providing a comprehensive overview of state aid expenditure in 2023.

Energy

  • 11 April: The Council adopted its negotiating mandate under the ordinary legislative procedure on the regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 concerning the role of gas storage in ensuring gas supply before winter.

Internal Market

  • 7 April: According to Eurostat, seasonally adjusted retail trade volume in February 2025 increased by 0.3% in the Eurozone and 0.2% in the EU compared to January 2025.

  • 7 April: Eurostat estimates show seasonally adjusted services production in January 2025 rose by 0.4% in the Eurozone and 0.3% in the EU from December 2024.

  • 8 April: Eurostat data indicate that in Q4 2024, house prices in the EU rose by 4.9% and rents by 3.2% year-on-year.

Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion

  • 1 April: Eurostat data revealed that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the Eurozone for February 2025 was 6.1%, down from 6.2% in January and 6.5% in February 2024. The EU unemployment rate was 5.7%, down from 5.8% in January and 6.1% in February 2024.

Trade Policy

  • 1 April: Eurostat reported that in 2024, the EU exported 5.4 million cars and imported 4.0 million. Compared to 2019, exports fell by 13.2%, and imports by 3.0%.

  • 1 April: The European Parliament adopted its first reading position under the ordinary legislative procedure on a regulation proposal introducing additional customs duties on certain products originating from the USA.

  • 2 April: Eurostat data showed imports of services from non-EU countries in 2023 totaled €3.344 trillion.

  • 3 April: Statement by President von der Leyen on the US announcement of universal tariffs.

  • 4 April: Eurostat estimated that the EU’s seasonally adjusted current account balance in Q4 2024 recorded a surplus of €113.2 billion (+2.5% of GDP), up from €107.5 billion (+2.4% of GDP) in Q3 and €103.4 billion (+2.4% of GDP) in Q4 2023.

  • 9-10 April: President von der Leyen issued two statements on US tariffs. One welcomed President Trump’s announcement to suspend reciprocal tariffs. The second confirmed the EU’s countermeasures were finalized but suspended for 90 days to allow negotiations.

  • 11 April: Eurostat data showed that EU space-related exports (e.g., satellites, launch vehicles) in 2024 reached €1.217 billion, up from €1.20 billion in 2019. Imports rose from €117 million to €166 million.

Cohesion Policy

  • 1 April: The European Commission proposed a mid-term review of the 2021–2027 cohesion policy to allow Member States to assess their programme implementation and align with 2025 political priorities.

Industrial Policy

  • 1 April: The Commission launched a consultation to foster industrial cooperation for the purchase and recycling of critical raw materials under EU competition rules. Contributions are open until 31 May 2025.

  • 3 April: Eurostat estimates showed industrial producer prices in February 2025 rose by 0.2% in the Eurozone and 0.3% in the EU compared to January 2025. Year-on-year, they rose by 3.0% and 3.1%, respectively.

  • 3 April: EP resolution on energy-intensive industries.

  • 7-8 April: High-level talks took place between the Commission and representatives of key industries about potential US tariffs on: steel, aluminum and derivatives; cars, car parts, commercial vehicles; and pharmaceuticals.

Communication Networks, Content & Technology

  • 9 April: The Commission presented an action plan for the AI continent, aiming to make the EU a global leader in AI development and use.

Interparliamentary Meetings

  • 13–14 April: Conference of Committee Chairs on “Zero-Emission Energy Production: Towards EU Competitiveness and Security” held in Warsaw. MP Vinicio Giuseppe Guido Peluffo, member of the X Committee, attended on behalf of the Chamber.

Upcoming Meetings

  • 14–15 April: Informal Meeting of Ministers for Social Affairs

  • 16 April: Informal Meeting of Ministers for Gender Equality

 

And here you can download the original EU Observer in Italian [+]