A landmark agreement on “Buy European” policies emerged from the EU summit addressing strategic sector protection. Leaders from all 27 member states gathered in Belgium to develop coordinated responses to Europe’s declining competitiveness relative to global competitors.
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, with leaders recognizing strategic sectors require protection against unfair competition and economic coercion.
Von der Leyen’s action plan promises single market strengthening through multiple initiatives by March. The package includes regulatory simplification at EU and national levels, EU Inc company law for startups, capital market integration, and measures reducing energy costs across Europe.
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 seeking transformative solutions to Europe’s subordination, division, and deindustrialization risks.
The summit addressed regulatory barriers, fragmented capital markets, and single market obstacles beyond procurement policies. Von der Leyen criticized “gold-plating” where excessive national regulations complicate business operations, using truck weight limits as an illustrative example.