In her annual state of the union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised to boost Europe's wind industry, extend protections for Ukrainian refugees and investigate whether Chinese-made electric cars have an unfair advantage thanks to state subsidies. The speech was a chance for von der Leyen to defend her record ahead of European elections next year.
Presenting herself as a champion of European business, von der Leyen said the EU would focus on developing "clean" energy and manufacturing in Europe.
"From wind to steel, from batteries to electric vehicles, our ambition is crystal clear: the future of our clean tech industry has to be made in Europe," she told the European Parliament on Wednesday.
The EU chief promised to fast-track permits for new wind turbines as part of an upcoming package of measures to support the industry.
She also announced a probe into electric vehicles imported from China, which she said benefitted from large state subsidies that keep their prices lower than those made-in-Europe competitors.
The investigation could see the European Commission impose stiff tariffs on car imports – including non-Chinese brands made in China, such as Tesla, Renault and BMW – to reduce their advantage over European carmakers.
"Europe is open for competition. Not for a race to the bottom," von der Leyen said.
But she stressed that that China remained a vital partner in other respects, saying that her approach at an EU-China summit later this year would be "de-risk, not decouple".
Support for Ukraine
On other matters of foreign policy, von der Leyen said the Commission was proposing to extend special protections granted to Ukrainians who fled to the EU to escape Russia's invasion.
She also restated the EU's support for Kyiv, praising the "great strides" it had made towards joining the bloc.
"We will be at Ukraine's side every step of the way, for as long as it takes," she said.
Von der Leyen is due to report back to member states next month on Ukraine's progress towards meeting the criteria for membership talks.
Urging members not to drag their feet on EU enlargement, she said: "The future of Ukraine is in our Union. The future of the Western Balkans is in our Union. The future of Moldova is in our Union."
Engagement with Africa
Beyond the continent, von der Leyen said the EU should seek to engage more with countries in Africa, accusing Russia of stirring chaos in the Sahel and saying military coups had destabilised the region.
"This is of direct concern for Europe – for our security and prosperity," she said.
"We need to show the same unity of purpose towards Africa as we have shown for Ukraine."
Von der Leyen said the EU should work with "legitimate governments and regional organisations" towards "a mutually beneficial partnership which focuses on common issues for Europe and Africa".
She also cited the EU's recent deal with Tunisia – which saw the EU pledge millions of euros in exchange for stronger border controls – as an example of a pact with mutual benefits, and said the EU wanted to work on similar agreements with other countries.
Stump speech
It was von der Leyen's last state of the union address before European Parliament elections next June. Her term will end at the same time.
She is widely expected to seek a second term as head of the EU executive, but has yet to announce her plans.
Nine months ahead of the vote, she told MEPs that under her leadership the EU had delivered "over 90 percent" of the political guidelines she set out when she took over in 2019.
(with newswires)
