EU budget talks stall as member states clash over funding and solidarity

The European Union summit in Brussels ended without progress on the bloc's new budget, though some advances were made on energy prices and a more assertive policy toward China. Disputes over funding and solidarity among member states remain unresolved. Poland and its allies secured summit conclusions acknowledging the ETS system's impact on energy prices, with the European Commission asked to reassess ETS2's effects. On China, leaders agreed to develop a new trade instrument by year-end, as the EU loses 500 jobs daily to Chinese competition. The Irish presidency proposed an 8% budget cut for 2028-2034, sparking conflict between net payers like Germany and cohesion supporters like Poland. A compromise proposal is expected at a November 26 summit, with negotiations potentially extending into December.