Thu Nguyen

🧵 In the trade world, this week was a rather hectic one. The Turnberry outcome underline the fact that negotiations with Trump are not one-off events but an ongoing process. A fact that undermines the idea that this week has brought stability.

Ripe for Reform – What’s in the EU Budget Proposal and What Should Come Next On 16 July 2025, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-35, kicking off what promises to be a highly fraught and marathon set of nego...

Just a few weeks to go before the EU dives into what will likely be a bruising battle over its next budget.

@romyha.bsky.social, @eulaliarubio.bsky.social, @lindnerjs.bsky.social l and I took a closer look at the Commission’s proposal.

We think successful negotiations now hinge on four things:

The EU debate on the automotive sector is clouded by a lot of confusion over what is actually going wrong.

@jannikjansen.bsky.social has a fantastic new piece that provides a much-needed guide to unmuddling the picture!

Europe’s Car Industry in Transition: Stuck in Neutral or Shifting into Gear? Europe’s automotive industry is entering a decisive decade but lacks a clear map for navigating it. While global competitors accelerate their shift toward electric vehicles, Europe’s strategic focus r...

Europe’s car industry may have just dodged a +25% US tariff – but this is no reason to relax. Deep structural challenges remain, and the EU lacks a common diagnosis for fixing them.

My new policy paper argues that a coherent EU strategy needs to rest on three uncomfortable truths: 🧵

Macht, Musk und Meinungsfreiheit: Wer schützt Europas digitalen Diskurs? EU to go - der Podcast für Europapolitik · Episode

Neue EU to go-Folge ist raus! Mit @luisequaritsch.bsky.social und @philippdarius.bsky.social sprechen wir über die Macht von sozialen Medien und wie die EU mit dem Digital Services Act (DSA) den demokratischen Kurs online zu schützen versucht: open.spotify.com/episode/2JrS...

This a weird and concerning spat between Ukraine and the EU leadership. The spokesperson of @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu clearly spoke of her being 'in contact with' Zelensky over the bill, and to deny this publicly turns this into an even bigger rupture with the EU.

Neue Podcastaufnahme im Kasten 🎬! Diese Folge mit @luisequaritsch.bsky.social und @philippdarius.bsky.social zum Digital Services Act und wie die EU soziale Medien reguliert und den politischen Diskurs online schützt. Stay tuned!

@delorsberlin.bsky.social

No one’s holding their breath for big announcements from today’s EU–China summit.

But FDI remains one area where pragmatic cooperation is still possible and, under the right conditions, can strengthen EU industry.

In today’s Euractiv op-ed, I outline what it takes to make that happen.

We ran some initial estimates on what today’s EU budget proposal could mean.

The numbers aren’t official yet, so details might still change - but the overall picture looks a lot more positive than I expected.

Three quick takeaways:

Instrumentalisation of migration: Europe needs a strong and lawful response Several EU Member States refer to alleged attempts at instrumentalisation by Russia and Belarus to undermine refugee protection at the eastern external borders - even though the number of asylum seeke...

In a new policy brief for @delorsberlin.bsky.social, @judithkohlenberger.bsky.social, @pzlotnik.bsky.social, @llaube.bsky.social, @dansaracino.bsky.social and I look into how the EU has been dealing with what it calls "instrumentalised" migration. 🧵 (1/3) www.delorscentre.eu/en/publicati...

The EU's Defence of Democracy Dilemma The European Commission has made defending EU democracies from foreign interference a priority. A key legislative element in its democracy agenda is the ‘Directive on Transparency of Interest Represen...

An important step to defend European democracies from foreign interference or a misguided foreign agent law?

👇In my new policy brief out today, I analyse the Commission’s proposal for a directive on third country lobbying. 1/🧵

www.delorscentre.eu/en/publicati...

Let’s be clear: the European Parliament has every reason to fight tooth and nail for real influence over national plans - and it can ensure cohesion funds continue to support social investment.

All of that is possible without clinging to the EU budget’s clearly dysfunctional structure.

Socialists to back von der Leyen in no-confidence vote after she backs down on EU budget European Commission president expected to easily survive ― but she has made two major concessions.

To tackle Europe's challenges, the EU budget needs root-and-branch reforms.

If you think cementing the status quo is a progressive victory, you’re fundamentally misreading the moment.
www.politico.eu/article/soci...

⚖️ Gestern hat die @ec.europa.eu ihren Bericht zur #Rechtsstaatlichkeit in der EU vorgelegt. Im Interview mit dem #WDR erklärt unsere stv. Direktorin Thu Nguyen @onethuthree.bsky.social, warum die Rechtsstaatlichkeit so wichtig ist und was die #EU bei Verstößen tun kann 👉 www1.wdr.de/mediathek/au...

Overall, our findings speak against many common narratives in the media but also among social democratic politicians. Most of all, they contradict the idea that social democratic parties have lost support because they are too progressive on issues such as immigration or gender equality.

New article out in World Politcs. We analyze how different groups react to varying programs of social democratic parties. We find less trade-offs than often assumed. Generally, more left-progressive programs increase support among social democratic potentials
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/articl...

Wir haben eine tolle neue Stelle in Berlin offen für alle EU-Budget-Wonks und insbesondere für alle, die es noch werden wollen. Bewerbung direkt im Link, bei Interesse gerne DM an mich und please spread the word!

The Who's Who of German foreign policy. Because who needs women in 2025?

(Picture by @internationalepolitik.de)

Save the date: Am 25. September präsentiere ich mein neues Buch "Migrationspanik" im wunderbaren Wien Museum. Eintritt frei!

www.wienmuseum.at/event/2007

The Commission’s big EU budget proposal lands in two weeks.

Now, the Polish government has published its position - and it offer an interesting glimpse into the negotiation drama ahead.

Zu heiß für konzentriertes Arbeiten? Gönn dir Schatten und die neue Folge EU to go zur „Flotte von Omnibussen“ und warum Bürokratieabbau nicht immer erfrischend ist. Mit @onethuthree.bsky.social, @sebastianmack.bsky.social & Julia Symon.

🎧 Jetzt reinhören: open.spotify.com/episode/3vPX...

Canada scraps tech tax to advance trade talks with Donald Trump US president described levy as ‘direct and blatant’ attack on the country

Trump blew a fuse and Canada folded in no time - not exactly a good omen for the Commission’s plan to pitch a Digital Services Tax as a key new income stream in the next EU budget.
www.ft.com/content/4cf9...

Very sad to say goodbye to Sebastian, who is leaving big shoes at @delorsberlin.bsky.social to fill. Those at your next stop are very lucky to have you - wishing you all the best your exciting new chapter!

Sad to see Sebastian set sail! We’re losing one of the sharpest minds on EU financial markets, one of the best when it comes to grounded policy work, and above all, a fantastic colleague.

A big win for those lucky to get him next - proud to add him to the growing ranks of alumni we’ll keep close!

Unter die Omnibus-Räder: Die Deregulierungsagenda der EU EU to go - der Podcast für Europapolitik · Episode

🎧 Neue Folge EU to go!

Was steckt hinter der „Flotte von Omnibussen“ mit der die EU Europas Wirtschaft entlasten will?

@onethuthree.bsky.social spricht mit Julia Symon @financewatch.bsky.social & @sebastianmack.bsky.social über Bürokratieabbau, Deregulierung. open.spotify.com/episode/3vPX...

For all that is dear, this daddy thing needs to STOP

Europe needs a summer break!

Neue Podcastfolge im Kasten 🎬 Kommen Klima und Nachhaltigkeit im Entbürokratisierungsenthusiasmus der EU unter die Omnibusräder? Darüber habe ich mit @sebastianmack.bsky.social und Julia Simon (Finance Watch) gesprochen. Stay tuned!

Brussels split over state aid for clean tech production Competition commissioner digs heels on allowing governments to subsidise green industry’s operating costs

Not a helpful debate. If the EU is serious about clean industrial strategy, all tools need to be on the table.

Instead of clutching its pearls over production aid or Buy EU rules, the EU needs a sector-by-sector discussion on where and how they could be useful. on.ft.com/4k7mefL

New piece for Zeit Online.

The deregulation fever gripping Berlin is fine if dosed.

But it’s not going to save Germanys promising clean tech sector. For that, industrial policy is indispensable.

A good place to start? Align France and Germanys subsidy schemes - as a blueprint for the whole EU