European Union leaders emphasized the urgent need to lower energy costs and improve the internal market to enhance competitiveness against the U. S. and China. A meeting at a Belgian castle aimed to find a common plan among the EU’s 27 member states, despite varying opinions on solutions. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted the urgency but disagreed on strategies.
Many leaders expressed frustration over the slow progress in unifying economies. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson noted that discussions should lead to action, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis criticized the reliance on talks without results. Key topics for discussion included deepening the single market, advancing EU financial markets, and addressing high energy costs, crucial for Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever pointed out that Europe’s energy prices are much higher than those in the U. S. and China, threatening vital industries. A smaller group of 19 EU countries met beforehand to consider rapid reviews of CO2 emissions taxation and streamline regulations. They aimed to diversify trade in light of U. S. tariffs.
Despite a shared goal of a more competitive bloc, EU countries have long disagreed on methods. Macron called for common borrowing to invest strategically and proposed a “Made in Europe” strategy, while Germany favored increasing productivity and forming trade deals, such as with Mercosur, which France opposes.
Macron suggested a June deadline for reaching decisions, indicating that if a consensus is not reached among all members, some could proceed with “reinforced cooperation. ” Former Italian prime ministers Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, known for their insights on EU competitiveness, were invited to contribute to the discussions, with Draghi warning of a potential “slow agony” for the EU without urgent reforms.
With information from Reuters
