European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the EU Ambassadors Conference 2025 in Brussels, focusing on economic coercion and Europe's commitment to economic security. She highlighted the increasing use of sanctions, export controls, and tariffs, emphasizing the need for Europe to protect its economic and national security.
Von der Leyen stressed the importance of balancing these measures with positive economic tools like trade, investment, and innovation. She warned against a global race to the bottom and emphasized strengthening economic ties that benefit Europeans by creating jobs, reducing prices, and enhancing security.
Her remarks followed US President Donald Trump's announcement of additional tariffs on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico. Von der Leyen underscored the strong transatlantic partnership between the European Union and the United States, which together account for nearly 30% of global trade and over 40% of global GDP.
She noted that European companies in the US employ 3.5 million Americans, with another million American jobs directly linked to trade with Europe. The trade volume between the EU and the US is USD 1.5 trillion, highlighting the significant stakes for both sides. Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of maintaining this partnership for economic prosperity and smart business.
Ursula von der Leyen is a politician from Germany who is the President of the European Commission, which is like the executive branch of the European Union (EU). She helps make important decisions for the EU.
The European Commission is a part of the European Union that makes sure EU laws are followed and proposes new laws. It's like a big team that helps run the EU smoothly.
Economic security means making sure a country's economy is safe and stable, so people have jobs and can buy what they need. It's about protecting the economy from problems like unfair trade practices.
Tariffs are taxes that countries put on goods coming from other countries. They can make imported goods more expensive, which can affect trade between countries.
Economic coercion is when a country uses economic pressure, like sanctions or tariffs, to influence another country's actions. It's like using money-related tools to make someone do something.
Sanctions are penalties or restrictions that one country puts on another to try to change its behavior. They can include things like stopping trade or freezing assets.
GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product, which is the total value of all goods and services produced in a country. It's a way to measure how big and strong an economy is.
Donald Trump was the President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He made decisions about how the US interacts with other countries, including trade policies.
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