The European Union’s summit produced consensus on “Buy European” policies protecting strategic industrial sectors. Leaders from all 27 member states gathered to address Europe’s competitiveness through coordinated measures.
The policy shift reflects vulnerabilities exposed by Russian gas loss, American trade wars, and Chinese state subsidies. These challenges transformed European preference from taboo to necessary for strategic protection.
Von der Leyen emphasized enormous pressure could enable transformative change despite vested interests. Her comprehensive action plan by March addresses regulatory simplification, startup support, capital market integration, and energy costs.
Former Prime Ministers Draghi and Letta presented influential reports setting the summit agenda. Draghi’s declaration that the current economic world order is “dead” resonated with leaders.
Italy, Germany, and Belgium co-hosted pre-summit discussions with 19 member states about industrial relaunch initiatives. The gathering addressed emissions trading system review.
‘Buy European’ Policy Endorsed as EU Addresses Industrial Decline
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Photo by Christophe Licoppe, via wikimedia commons