European leaders reached agreement on “Buy European” policies during their competitiveness-focused Belgian summit. The gathering of 27 member states addressed Europe’s position through strategic industrial protection against global challenges.
António Costa identified defense, space, clean technology, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and payment systems as requiring reinforcement through proportional European preference. The approach represents pragmatic response to unfair competition and economic security threats.
Commission President von der Leyen promised March action addressing regulatory simplification, startup support, capital market integration, and energy costs. She emphasized that pressure and urgency could enable transformative change previously impossible.
Belgian Prime Minister De Wever characterized major European economies as facing existential crisis from factory closures and investment declines. High energy costs, regulatory burdens, and Chinese dumping created urgency for protective responses.
The summit addressed vulnerabilities exposed by Russian gas loss in 2022, American trade wars, and Chinese state subsidies. These crises transformed European preference from controversial to necessary in strategic sectors.