EC Midday Briefing 12.01.2026

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 12.01.2026 European Commission Midday Press Briefing | Daily News & VOD

 

Announcements

  • President’s agenda: Mercosur signature in Paraguay on Saturday 17 Jan along with Council’s President Costa. Statement by UVDL published on Friday.

 

Q&A

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Loan for UA

EC will present legislative proposal on the loan. Details? Allocation? EU/Non-EU weapons?

  • No details of the proposal available yet. Expected to be adopted soon.
  • Expect EC to propose legislative acts to prepare for dispersal. Details available when proposals are put forward.

 

TRADE - CN Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Have EU and CN reached an agreement?

  • EU published guidance for CN battery EVs. We are engaging with the CN ministry of commerce.

How should CN exporters structure undertaking offers? How can you ensure implementation of offers? Do you expect reciprocal cancellations on CN duties on EU products?

  • Guidance given to CN Commerce Ministry is too technical to discuss here.
  • The EC is willing to look for alternatives to the anti-subsidy duties we implemented, which came after an investigation found CN battery EVs for export to the EU were availing of unfair and illegal subsidies.
  • In December we received an offer for a price undertaking. We are reviewing that now. Open to others.
  • Today’s document provides guidance on how that should happen. It must adequately address the unfair competitive advantage conferred on those CN EVs. If those conditions are met, we can review price undertakings.

 

TRADE - Mercosur

Could the Mercosur deal be applied before ratification? Is that not a democratic problem?

  • The Treaty does allow for this possibility, yes, but we’re not there yet.

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Yemen

EU’s stance on attempted coup in Yemen? What are the EU’s expectations for talks? Could the EU play a role in persuasion? 

  • EC support political efforts for peace and prosperity in Yemen. The EU supports peace and prosperity and a stronger UN role in Yemen. 
  • We call on all actors in Yemen to contribute to this sovereignty and territorial integrity while respecting international and national law.

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Gaza

Updates on EU participation in Gaza peace board? Will it really be presided by BGdiplomat chosen by US administration.

  • No speculation on press reports; we await for US announcement on the peace board. On nomination, the executive committee will be an important step towards implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 as well as global plan seeking to put an end to the conflict in Gaza.
  • Peace board will supervise transitional administration as well as the Palestinian technical committee that will be responsible for public services in Gaza. The EU will support work towards these important tasks.

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Iran

Is EU prepared to take decisive action? Are you prepared to designate IRGC as a terrorist organisation? Will you support the return of Reza Pahlavi (former Shah), and engage with him as the US does for democratic transition?

  • We stand in solidarity with Iranian citizens protesting for their freedom and  condemn the use of force against demonstrators.
  • VdL called for immediate release of all imprisoned demonstrators and the restoration of full internet access.
  • We have a dedicated legal framework targeting perpetrators of serious human rights violations and abuses in Iran; individuals and entities have been added over the years and we are ready to impose harsher sanctions following the violent crackdown on protestors. MS must take this decision unanimously in the Council.
  • EU already listed the entire IRGC under the Iran Weapons of Mass Destruction Sanctions Regime. Thus, the IRGC is already under an asset freeze in the EU and a prohibition to make funds and economics resources available. The EU has also listed individuals and entities of the IRGC for human rights violations, their responsibility in Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and the support of RU’s war on UA.
  • On adding IRGC to EU’s Terrorist List (Common Position 931), confidential discussion among MS has been ongoing. The decision requires unanimity.

HRVP Kallas mentioned additional sanctions on Iran. Will this be proposed in the 29th January Foreign Affairs Council? Are the motivation human rights violations? Has there been contact with Reza Pahlavi?

  • Kallas announced we were open to proposing more severe sanctions based on the oppression in Iran.
  • There will be an extraordinary meeting on Iran in the next Foreign Affairs Council.
  • HRVP remains in contact with her EU interlocutors and with Iranian authorities through our EU body based in Tehran.

Are you in touch with some of the exiled Iranians, i.e. former leaders?

  • We maintain regular contact with Iranian authorities through the EU local presidency in Tehran, which is now exerted by CY in the absence of an EU delegation.

Would the EU encourage external intervention in Iran by US, Israel etc.? Musk has offered Starlink access to Iranians. Are European companies capable of providing such possibilities of connection for Iranians?

  • Regime change is not part of the EU’s policies when it comes to supporting civil society. We continue to support Iranian civil society with all the tools in our toolbox.
  • Private companies must make decisions on their own initiative.

 

DIGITAL SERVICES ACT – Grok | PL

What is the EC prepared to do about Grok? response to Musk’s claim X is a target for censorship.

  • VdL expressed her shock at a digital platform enabling users to digitally undress women and children online. The harm caused by deepfakes is real. Child protection and consent won’t be outsourced to Silicon Valley. If they don’t act, we will.
  • Drawing a parallel between freedom of speech and an AI tool that generates child sexual abuse material is dangerous nonsense.
  • We are often accused of over-regulating. This type of output is precisely the reason we have legislation in place.

Would the EC consider interim measures in the future under the DSA to deal with this issue urgently? Is it impossible for Musk to run X as he wishes under the DSA?

  • We won’t prejudge what we can or can’t do with interim measures. Article 70 is clear: in exceptional circumstances we could take proportionate measures.
  • DSA already proved it’s effectiveness. We have engagement with X. The owner himself announced measures. We’re now assessing this.

Reaction to PL president’s veto of DSA enforcement legislation? Is PL the only MS not to have implemented DSA?

  • We strongly encourage PL and remaining MS to empower their digital service coordinators. We recently referred PL to the Court of Justice as part of the infringement proceedings.

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