The EU’s 2025 budget will be a litmus test for its ability to navigate a rapidly changing world. Key priorities include the ecological and digital transitions, alongside the need to strengthen social fabric and internal cohesion. Yet, challenges abound: the energy crisis, inflation, and migration are among the most pressing issues. An additional layer of complexity comes from relations with the United States under Trump’s leadership, whose unpredictable approach risks complicating delicate trade and geopolitical balances. The EU must find a way to safeguard its interests without abandoning the transatlantic dialogue. Now more than ever, the budget is a crucial tool—not just for financing policies, but for proving that Europe can respond to global challenges united, turning them into opportunities for its citizens.