EU budget taxes should raise money governments aren't already collecting, Costa says

European Council President António Costa, speaking to POLITICO after visiting 25 capitals, said governments are more likely to back new EU taxes for the bloc's next seven-year budget if they generate revenue not already collected nationally. Proposals such as an EU tobacco tax face opposition because tobacco is already taxed in all member states, meaning an EU levy would merely cut national revenue. A deal is needed by year-end, before 2027 elections in France, Italy, Spain and Poland complicate the talks. Without new "own resources", Costa said, member states would be asked to contribute more.