After 70 years of rapid progress, the European Union’s economic model is now running out of steam and losing clout against the U.S. and China.
France and Germany have repeatedly called for an EU industrial strategy to create “European Champions,” but they will need to overhaul current EU competition law to get their way. Global trade is also becoming more cut-throat by the day, raising big questions of what direction Europe will take, and what that means for industries and consumers.
Many want to deepen the single market and build more regional heavyweights by improving their terms of finance, while others wonder how this will shape the future European worker’s skillset. Europe’s attempt itself in the world economy raises important questions about how the Continent plans to meet its climate ambitions, reap the rewards of digitalization, and upgrade infrastructure.
On the eve of the German presidency of the EU, POLITICO is hosting its first Competitive Europe Summit in Brussels. Bringing together high-level policymakers and business leaders, this event will be a unique opportunity to debate how to cement Europe’s place on the world stage.