Virtual Talk with the European Commission: Insights into Institutions, Trade Policy and AI Tools
On 2 December 2025, as part of the seminar, the students attended a virtual meeting with Ulrich Trautmann, a Senior Trade Expert at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Trade. Students gained practical insights into the EU's institutional structures and current challenges in trade policy.
To begin with, Mr Trautmann provided an overview of the EU's key institutions and their respective responsibilities, as well as the division of competences in important policy areas. He also explained the Council of Ministers' basic working methods and discussed the use of modern technologies in EU administrative processes, including AI-based translation tools, which, despite significant advancements, continue to have their limitations.
During the open Q&A session, students asked questions about various topics, including the challenges of translating all EU documents into 24 official languages and the potential role of AI in this process. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was also discussed, particularly whether complex EU directives are truly understandable and practical for target groups such as farmers.
We would like to thank Mr Trautmann sincerely for his time and the interesting exchange.