They keep trying it via e.g. chat control
The US has also tried it multiple times. So has Canada. It's been shut down each time. This isn't a unique to the EU problem.
The fact that other countries have tried to do <bad thing> does not mean it's acceptable for another country to do <bad thing>
Didn't UK had "The Snooper's Charter" as well?
Encryption backdoors is not a case of extending reach for a government, but an effort to get the capabilities back.
They were able to do that before. They just want to be able to continue now.
Note: No, I don't support the idea of backdoors. On the contrary.