EU Leaders Push for New Own Resources, Costa Says, to Avoid Budget Cuts

European Council President António Costa said governments will back new EU levies only if they bring in money that national budgets are not already collecting. He warned that options such as a tobacco tax would merely shift existing national revenue, while newer products like e‑cigarettes and cryptocurrencies offer untapped revenue streams. Costa noted that proposals for a CORE tax on companies operating in Europe and a polluter‑pay mechanism face strong opposition from Germany and eastern states. The Commission’s original package, which could raise more than €60 billion a year, has been trimmed by €32 billion during Cyprus’s presidency and will be revised again by Ireland. All leaders remain committed to a budget agreement by year‑end, or the EU risks cutting support for farmers, businesses, researchers and students.