Economic and Financial Affairs

After reviewing the payment request submitted on 25 July 2024, the Commission has initially determined that Belgium has successfully completed the 38 milestones and 8 targets outlined in the Council Implementing Decision for the second instalment. 13 reforms and 34 investments will drive positive change for citizens and businesses in the areas of digitalisation and connectivity, research and innovation, including for the green transition, energy renovation of buildings, greening of transport, education and inclusion, lifelong learning, environmental permitting procedures as well as sustainable agri-food chains, circular economy and spending reviews. Flagship measures include investment in rail infrastructure and the introduction of 5G through auctions of the necessary spectrum bands and the adaptation of radiation standards.

The European Union has paused its countermeasures on unjustified US trade tariffs to allow time and space for EU-US negotiations. The decision – which puts on hold for up to 90 days the EU's planned countermeasures against US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports - was made in response to the US delaying by 90 days its so-called reciprocal tariffs. In total, the suspended EU countermeasures cover €21 billion of US exports.

April 2025, DG ECFIN’s flash estimate1 of the consumer confidence indicator2 decreased for the second month in a row in both the EU (2.1 percentage points (pps.) down) and the euro area (2.2 pps. down). Scoring at -16.0 (EU) and -16.7 (euro area) points, consumer confidence moved further away from its long-term average, to its lowest level in 18 months.