1.🍃 EU SUES MEMBER STATES OVER GREEN AGENDA

The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against all 27 EU member states for failing to implement sweeping new green building mandates by the May 29, 2026 deadline. The rules, part of the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), would require businesses to overhaul their commercial properties to meet strict new energy efficiency standards.

The EPBD, adopted in 2024, mandates that all new buildings produce zero on-site fossil fuel emissions by 2030, that new publicly-owned buildings meet that standard by 2028, and that fossil fuel boilers be fully phased out by 2040, leaving businesses staring down potentially massive compliance costs with little relief currently available.

All this, while Europe is sweltering through record heat waves, with only 20% of households having air conditioning. Instead of easing up on their deadly energy rules, they’re doubling down.

The EU’s own data shows its current annual building renovation rate sits at just 1%.

2. 🇫🇷 FRANCE’S LEFT TURNS TO LAWFARE TO STOP LE PEN

Emmanuel Macron’s party, Renaissance, has filed a legal complaint against Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN), accusing the opposition of “trademark infringement and unfair competition” over Le Pen’s new campaign slogan, “Pour la France, la renaissance.” The case is scheduled to be heard July 27.

On July 7, Le Pen unveiled her slogan, and Renaissance claims the phrase unlawfully appropriates its political identity and registered trademarks, arguing it sows “confusion in the minds of voters.”

This is not a coincidence of timing. Courts have already cleared Le Pen to run for president, and her support is growing. Rather than compete on ideas, the governing party is going to court to silence the opposition’s campaign before it gains steam. RN responded bluntly: “When Mr. Attal talks about unity while throwing his support behind Edouard Philippe, we promise we won’t take him to court.”

🚗 USTR DRAWS HARD LINE AGAINST EU ASSAULT ON AMERICAN TECH

The EU’s campaign against American tech companies has a new and vocal critic in U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Speaking at a recent event, Greer indicated that the Trump administration will not allow Brussels to write the rules for American tech companies who have been disproportionately targeted by the EU’s digital regulations like the DMA.

“We’re not going to let Europe control the global regulation of our companies,” he noted. “We’re just not going to let Europe be the arbiter.” Greer also took aim at the structure of Brussels’ regulatory framework, calling out rules which “only tends to capture our guys.”

While not every regulation from the EU affecting US companies has merited a fierce response, like their recent investigation into Meta’s addictive design features on Facebook & Instagram, the vast majority have. Over just the last two years, the Commission has handed down penalties of more than $7B to American companies under its digital regulatory framework. Taking into account the $1B in annual compliance fees spent between U.S. companies, the total costs since 2024 exceed $9B.

Worse yet, the EU has shown no signs of slowing their approach. On July 8, for example, the EU rejected Apple’s challenge to its gatekeeper status, condemning the company to what will likely be billions in additional fines and expenses in the years to come.

Moreover, the basis for these penalties have been rooted in a constantly evolving set of criteria. Commissioner for competition at the EC Teresa Ribera, for instance, recently signaled a willingness to designate based on qualitative criteria when the quantitative criteria is not met, bucking once-clearly defined benchmarks and leaving the door open for widespread abuse by the EU.

US companies grappling with Brussels’ regulatory assault can take solace in knowing the EU’s actions haven’t gone unnoticed by President Trump. His administration has remained steadfast in defending US businesses against these predatory regulations, using tariff leverage, diplomatic engagement, and direct demands for fair treatment. The President will not back down so long as Brussels treats US companies as a means to subsidize their own tech sector.