In just a few short months, the new government administration in the United States has thrown the world order into disarray. A potential global trade war, new global value chain configurations and shifting security alliances are reshaping geopolitics. Given the current uncertainty, access to developing technologies will be decisive. What steps can the European Union take to ensure its technological sovereignty? How should it go about relations with China and the new Trump Administration with regards to its tech policy? What role does Big Tech play in European security?

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Europe’s economic productivity faces long-term stagnation, with recent shocks such as the war in Ukraine disrupting the post-pandemic recovery and exposing vulnerabilities in the EU’s competitiveness. Against this backdrop, Mario Draghi’s recent report has reignited policy debates on fostering economic productivity through innovation, advancing education and skills. This Forum features contributions from the participants in the 2024 joint annual CEPS-Intereconomics conference and examines a number of the key questions to consider in addressing EU competitiveness.

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The new European Commission has taken shape during a period of significant geopolitical unrest. In this Forum, our authors look at some of the priorities for the European Commission for 2024-2029 and beyond. How can the EU prepare itself for the uncertainty of a possible global trade war? What should the EU do about its Eastern Neighborhood expansion plans that have continued to stall? How can industrial policy help to create a single market for defence goods? What should be the priorities of the Commission with regards to the financial sector? This Forum examines these questions deeply and offers recommendations.

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In the current landscape of significant technological, economic and geopolitical shifts, Europe needs a forward-looking industrial policy to boost innovation, productivity, quality job creation, sustainability and growth. However, simultaneous crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, have resulted in supply chain strains, rising energy prices and general uncertainty. Still, challenges can create opportunities for companies and citizens – if they are addressed properly. This Forum considers the priorities for the future of European industrial policy that are critical for the EU’s economic security.

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Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has forced Europe to confront its shortcomings with regard to providing its own security and to reconsider its reliance on the United States, which may be – under a potential Trump administration – much less supportive. This Forum focuses on what needs to be done now to address Europe’s security concerns and guarantee stability for the foreseeable future. Is meeting NATO spending targets enough to support European defence? What would it take to make Europe more self-sufficient? How does Europe protect itself against malicious cyberattacks? And what role do women specifically play in supporting defence efforts and future reconstruction in Ukraine?

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