Following lessons learned about the vulnerabilities of the European production model due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine, nationalist policies of the US and China and increased global trade disputes, Renew Europe has launched a new plan for competitive, productive and innovative industry. With the slogan ‘Made in Europe’, these proposals aim to strengthen EU sovereignty to boost job creation, speed up the green transition and increase geopolitical influence. 

Renew Europe calls on the European Commission to propose: 

• A Clean Tech, Competitiveness & Innovation Act to improve conditions for companies, big and small, to innovate, grow and succeed globally 
• A European Sovereignty Fund & Reform Act to incentivise structural reforms and investments with added value for European strategic autonomy 
• A New Generation of Partnerships in the World Act, using EU power in trade to promote new partnerships and diversify supply chains 

These initiatives were discussed at the Renew Europe New Year’s event ‘The EU’s capacity to act: building open strategic autonomy’ on 10 January, with the participation of Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Ireland’s Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin and European Council President Charles Michel. 

Commenting on the plan, Renew Europe President Stéphane Séjourné said: 

“Open strategic autonomy is the European Union's response to today’s challenges and Renew Europe has a plan to build it based on three main concepts: openness, autonomy and taking account of geostrategic issues.” 

“Other countries are developing different responses. Russia is sinking into expansionist imperialism. China has isolated itself. Others are seeking new alliances of circumstance at the risk of becoming vassals. Europe has chosen a better path to protect our citizens, diversity, businesses and our European way of life.” 

Together with @CarolineGruyter, @Kadriilham & Tánaiste & @MichealMartinTD Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, we discussed what strategy is needed to enhance the EU’s capacity to act on the global stage. This is crucial when we want to meet current geopolitical challenges. pic.twitter.com/UJVK8GwkrA

— Renew Europe (@RenewEurope) January 10, 2023

Photo credit: Renew Europe