For a European strategic industrial autonomy

Over the last few months, Europe has faced an unprecedented health and economic crisis, which has exposed major vulnerabilities and in particular our overdependence in several critical and strategic sectors. Today’s geopolitical realities force the EU institutions to redefine a new industrial strategy that is fit for the 21st century.

In the face of increased international competition and in a fast-growing global market with new needs, Europe must strike the right balance, one that fosters innovation, competitiveness and leadership.

First and foremost, competition rules must be adapted to current challenges in order to maximise the potential of our industries.

Setting up new legal tools such a digital tax or a carbon border adjustment mechanism will help further protect Europe’s economic interests.  Access to the Single Market must be in line with European standards and values so as to strengthen the continent’s strategic autonomy all the while preserving the advantages of an open economy. This is what the European Commission is promoting through its concept of “open strategic autonomy”.

Paving a new industrial path for Europe involves setting new objectives. This new industrial approach must first of all be more circular with disruptive technologies for greener and digital industrial production.

The EU is currently building its recovery plan aiming to increase its investment capacity in strategic sectors.

The EU should modernise and decarbonise its energy-intensive industries and boost investment in renewable infrastructure. To become more competitive and self-sufficient, the industry will need a secure supply of clean and affordable energy.

The EU should strengthen its industrial capacity in the digital world. The pandemic has shown how important it is for Europe to have access to the best physical and digital infrastructure. Building a safer and more inclusive digital society calls for a regulatory environment that fosters innovation and supports the development of new technologies and applications; as such, Artificial Intelligence is one of the keys to European competitiveness in the digital age.

The EU should increase its investment in the space sector if we are to develop a sustainable European space industry and foster synergies between civil, space and defence industries to pool resources and technologies. The “European preference” should secure and strengthen the European space industry along with its strategic autonomy.

The EU should regain its health sovereignty and build the Europe of Health, with the adoption of strong measures. Regaining our health sovereignty, in critical areas such as pharmaceuticals and food, remains essential to build resilience in order to ensure supply for Europe.

The EU’s industrial transformation through an ambitious green and digital transformation strategy must help strengthen Europe’s competitiveness on the world stage, create new quality jobs and develop new solutions for tomorrow’s societal challenges.

Progress often emerges from crises. Now we’ll see how Europe leverages the current crisis to unleash its political and economic leadership.

Editor-in-Chief 

Laurent ULMANN