IRIA News

7 minute read

European Union leaders agree to move forward with a targeted “Buy European” policy aimed at protecting key industrial sectors at a full-day informal summit on February 12, 2026, in Belgium.

The meeting, held at a historic castle in the Belgian countryside, brought together all 27 EU leaders for a strategic retreat focused on economic resilience, industrial policy, and regulatory reform.

Officials said there was broad agreement on the need to strengthen European manufacturing capacity and secure supply chains in sectors considered vital to long-term economic and security interests.

After the summit, European Council President Antonio Costa said leaders shared a common understanding that certain industries must be protected and reinforced. He identified defense, space, clean technologies, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and payment systems as areas where targeted European preference policies could be applied.

Costa said there was “a broadly shared understanding” that governments should support domestic and European companies in these strategic fields in a proportional and targeted way. The approach reflects growing concern that Europe risks losing industrial capacity and technological leadership to the United States and China if it does not take stronger action.

European Leaders have a clear priority — to strengthen our economic growth. 2026 will be the year of competitiveness. This is the commitment coming out from Alden Biesen. pic.twitter.com/ciqIczQngr

— António Costa (@eucopresident) February 13, 2026

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Commission would present a comprehensive “One Europe, One Market” roadmap in the next formal summit in March to boost the single market and improve Europe’s economic position.

Measures under discussion include simplifying regulations, integrating fragmented capital markets, reducing energy costs, and introducing a new corporate framework known as “EU Inc,” designed to make it easier for startups to scale across the bloc. She said the urgency of the situation was clear. “The pressure and the sense of urgency is enormous, and that can move mountains,” she told reporters, stressing that structural reforms would be necessary to deliver results.

Rising Pressure from Global Competition

European competitiveness has been a long-standing concern, but the issue has become more acute in recent years. The sudden loss of Russian gas supplies in 2022 exposed vulnerabilities in Europe’s energy system and increased costs for industry. At the same time, trade tensions with the United States and growing industrial subsidies in China have intensified competition for investment and manufacturing.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said several European economies were facing what he described as an existential crisis due to factory closures and declining industrial investment. He pointed to high energy prices, regulatory burdens, and subsidized imports from China as major challenges.

“We all know we must change course,” he said. “Yet, it sometimes feels as if we are still standing on the bridge of the ship, staring at the horizon, without touching the helm.”

Leaders discussed how to respond to what many see as unfair competition from heavily subsidized foreign industries while maintaining Europe’s commitment to open trade and international rules.

Debate Over European Preference

While there was broad agreement on strengthening European industry, divisions remain over how far “Buy European” policies should go. France has long advocated prioritizing European-made products in public procurement, particularly in sectors such as clean technologies, automotive manufacturing, chemicals, steel, and defense.

French President Emmanuel Macron described European preference as a necessary defensive measure. He warned that without stronger protections, European industries risk being “swept aside” by competitors that do not follow global trade rules.

Macron called for concrete progress by June, setting a deadline for leaders to agree on a package of reforms to relaunch Europe’s economy. “We share the same sense of urgency, we must act immediately and accelerate,” he said, citing the burden of international competition and U.S. tariffs particularly.

Germany, while supportive of protecting strategic sectors, has taken a broader approach. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the EU should avoid outright protectionism and instead adopt “Made with Europe” policies that include trusted trading partners. He said Berlin and Paris were aligned on the need to counter unfair trade practices but should remain open to international cooperation.

“I don’t want the European Union to enter a phase of protectionism,” Merz said. “But we also agree that we must protect against unfair trade practices.”

Ireland and several other member states have also stressed the importance of maintaining the EU’s open trade ethos, highlighting the delicate balance between industrial policy and global trade commitments.

Europe can only assert itself if it is economically strong – and that strength depends on a competitive industrial base.

We are united in our determination to act swiftly and decisively. Thank you, @eucopresident and @vonderleyen, for this constructive meeting. pic.twitter.com/TYuUrRV2aK

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) February 13, 2026

Regulatory Reform and Investment Focus

Beyond procurement rules, leaders discussed broader structural challenges facing Europe’s economy. Many pointed to fragmented capital markets, regulatory barriers, and differences in national rules that make it difficult for companies to operate across borders.

Von der Leyen said excessive national regulations and inconsistent standards were holding back investment. She cited examples of differing transport rules across member states that increase costs for businesses and limit efficiency.

Plans are underway to integrate Europe’s capital markets to make it easier for companies to raise funding for green and digital projects. Officials also discussed revising emissions trading rules and reducing administrative burdens on businesses as part of a wider deregulation push.

Some leaders suggested that if consensus among all 27 member states proves difficult, smaller groups could move forward through enhanced cooperation mechanisms to accelerate reforms.

Warnings from Economic Leaders

Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who recently authored a major report on European competitiveness, warned that the current global economic order is shifting rapidly and that Europe risks falling behind if it does not act decisively. He argued that the bloc must deepen integration and move faster on decision-making to remain competitive.

Draghi said Europe faced the risk of becoming “subordinated, divided and deindustrialised” if reforms are delayed. He called for stronger coordination and greater flexibility in policymaking to prevent individual countries from blocking necessary changes.

Enrico Letta, another former Italian prime minister, also addressed leaders and emphasized the need to remove barriers within the single market and improve investment conditions.

EU Industrial Policy

The European Commission is expected to unveil an Industrial Accelerator Act later this month, which will likely include targets for European content in key products such as solar panels and electric vehicles. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic production and reduce reliance on external suppliers in strategic sectors.

Leaders said the discussions in Belgium marked the beginning of a longer process to reshape Europe’s economic model. While there is broad agreement on the need for action, significant debates remain over how to balance industrial support with free trade principles and how to implement reforms across a diverse bloc of member states.

Despite differences in approach, the summit highlighted a shared sense of urgency. With competition from the United States and China intensifying and global economic conditions becoming more uncertain, European leaders appear increasingly willing to consider policies that were once politically sensitive.

Officials said further decisions are expected in the coming months, with June identified as a key milestone for agreeing on concrete measures to boost competitiveness, support industry, and secure Europe’s economic future.

Together for a strong Europe. pic.twitter.com/fSLu37pQgd

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) February 13, 2026