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EU backs industrial autonomy, eurobonds

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EU leaders met in Antwerp to pursue a "Made in Europe" industrial strategy to boost competitiveness and strategic autonomy amid US and Chinese pressure, while the ECB urged eurobonds.

The Guardian
The Guardian view on a ‘Made in Europe’ industrial strategy: an idea whose time has come | Editorial

Defending European strategic interests must be a priority to level the economic playing field in an increasingly volatile world Given the daunting nature of the challenges they face in the era of Donald Trump, it is perhaps understandable that European politicians should wish to get away from it all. This week, in what is being billed as a “leaders’ retreat”, a remote castle in the Belgian countryside has been selected for an EU summit on competitiveness. The pastoral setting may soothe the spirits of attending heads of state; but it belies the urgency of the debate they need to have. Europe in the postwar period has never felt so insecure. Mr Trump’s America First administration has made clear its intention to bully the continent economically through tariffs and threats, and the transatlantic alliance can no longer be relied upon for its defence. Hi-tech competition from China threatens to overwhelm European industry’s attempts to keep up in key areas, such as the green transition. Across the European Union, support for the far right is on the rise. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here . Continue reading. . .

The Guardian view on a ‘Made in Europe’ industrial strategy: an idea whose time has come | Editorial
Reposts 6 3h
Handelsblatt
Antwerp summit: Industry wants crisis management from the EU like during Covid

Top politicians and top managers discuss the difficult state of European industry. They want determination from the EU and its member states - and concrete steps.

Antwerp summit: Industry wants crisis management from the EU like during Covid
Reposts 0 4h
Financial Times
Europe’s best bet for financial sovereignty is a true safe asset

EU-issued bonds would attract long-term capital, reduce financing costs and unlock strategic autonomy

Reposts 11 6h
Handelsblatt
Monetary policy: Confidential 'checklist' for EU summit: ECB calls for euro bonds and a precautionary deposit for all

The euro central bank urges key reforms ahead of the upcoming EU summit. Especially its demand for a European 'Safe Asset' is politically very controversial.

Monetary policy: Confidential 'checklist' for EU summit: ECB calls for euro bonds and a precautionary deposit for all
Reposts 0 6h
Der Standard
The COVID-19 fund lured fraudsters—and Brussels is in the dark

The fund is 650 billion euros in size and will burden for decades. The EU Commission, which manages the EU budget, lacks an overview of the extent of fraud.

The COVID-19 fund lured fraudsters—and Brussels is in the dark
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Handelsblatt
EU Summit: 'Doing what we have never dared to do before' – How strongly should the EU shield its economy?

With 'Buy European' clauses the EU aims to protect European companies. The government had shown openness to it — but now concerns are growing that Brussels is overdoing it.

EU Summit: 'Doing what we have never dared to do before' – How strongly should the EU shield its economy?
Reposts 0 6h
Süddeutsche Zeitung
EU Summit: And Brussels Plays Its Evergreen Tunes Again

It is obvious that we can no longer go on as before, writes Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the heads of government ahead of the summit this Thursday. But why does Europe still go ahead?

EU Summit: And Brussels Plays Its Evergreen Tunes Again
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Handelsblatt
Controversial eurobonds: Bundesbank chief open to joint European debt

Joint European debt is a hot issue; skepticism toward eurobonds is high in Germany. Now the Bundesbank chief is advocating for them.

Controversial eurobonds: Bundesbank chief open to joint European debt
Reposts 0 7h
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Economic policy: Greater competitiveness for Europe—but how?

At several summits, EU leaders are seeking ways out of weak growth—with more internal market, more free trade, less bureaucracy. If only they could agree

Economic policy: Greater competitiveness for Europe—but how?
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To Vima
Crucial EU meetings in the shadow of the Franco-German axis rift

The shift in German policy toward closer cooperation with Italy is creating new realities within the EU, casting a shadow on crucial decisions about security, investments and competitiveness.

Crucial EU meetings in the shadow of the Franco-German axis rift
Reposts 0 7h
The Guardian
‘A world in disarray’: Europe’s moment of awakening

Facing existential challenges on trade and security, the bloc has finally realised it has to grow up and go it alone - but the path ahead is a rocky one • Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here Emmanuel Macron put it simply - and starkly. Confronted with “a world in disarray” and a double, potentially existential challenge from the US and China, he said: “Europe must become a power. ” The bloc is facing “a Chinese tsunami” on trade, Macron told several European newspapers , as the country most Europeans had for decades seen principally as an infinite export market transforms itself instead into a ferocious, low-price, hi-tech competitor. Continue reading. . .

‘A world in disarray’: Europe’s moment of awakening
Reposts 3 7h
The Guardian
Putin ‘trying to break the Ukrainian people – they will not be broken,’ says Nato’s Rutte - Europe live

Head of alliance warns that Ukraine ‘cannot sustain this fight or secure this peace alone’ As part of the increased focus on Arctic and High North, UK defence secretary John Healey is expected to confirm today that the number of British troops deployed to Norway will double over three years from 1, 000 to 2, 000 personnel. “ Demands on defence are rising, and Russia poses the greatest threat to Arctic and High North security that we have seen since the cold war. We see Putin rapidly re-establishing military presence in the region, including reopening old cold war bases, ” Healey warned in a government statement published overnight. Continue reading. . .

Putin ‘trying to break the Ukrainian people – they will not be broken,’ says Nato’s Rutte - Europe live
Reposts 20 7h
Handelsblatt
Monetary policy: Confidential "Checklist" for EU summit: ECB calls for eurobonds and a precautionary deposit for all

The ECB is pushing for deep and concrete reforms ahead of the upcoming EU summit. In particular its demand for a European "Safe Asset" is politically very controversial.

Monetary policy: Confidential "Checklist" for EU summit: ECB calls for eurobonds and a precautionary deposit for all
Reposts 5 8h
Handelsblatt
Monetary policy: Confidential "Checklist" for EU summit: ECB calls for eurobonds and a precautionary deposit for all

The ECB is pushing for deep and concrete reforms ahead of the upcoming EU summit. In particular its demand for a European "Safe Asset" is politically very controversial.

Monetary policy: Confidential "Checklist" for EU summit: ECB calls for eurobonds and a precautionary deposit for all
Reposts 0 8h
La Repubblica
Bce, euro digitale mercato unico tra le priorità di Lagarde in vista del vertice Ue

Repubblica è riuscita a ottenere il documento compilato non soltanto dal comitato esecutivo ma dall’intero eurosistema

Bce, euro digitale mercato unico tra le priorità di Lagarde in vista del vertice Ue
Reposts 6 9h
Project Syndicate
Europe’s Reckoning with Fossil-Fuel Insecurity

US President Donald Trump’s interventionist foreign policy will force European leaders to reconsider their dependence on American LNG supplies at the Munich Security Conference. But true energy security requires recognizing and addressing the insecurities associated with the use of hydrocarbons.

Europe’s Reckoning with Fossil-Fuel Insecurity
Reposts 2 9h
El Pais
ECB urges EU leaders to create eurobonds to revive the European economy

The institution calls for deeper integration of the single market through joint debt issuance and a European deposit guarantee fund.

ECB urges EU leaders to create eurobonds to revive the European economy
Reposts 0 10h
La Repubblica
ECB: digital euro and the single market among Lagarde's priorities ahead of the EU summit

Repubblica managed to obtain the document compiled not only by the executive committee but by the entire Eurosystem

Reposts 2 11h
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Defence policy: The EU needs a Plan B

If the EU can no longer rely on the United States, it must rethink its strategy. It won't start with a European army, but with an old proposal from Angela Merkel.

Defence policy: The EU needs a Plan B
Reposts 1 11h

Reposted by Christian Rauh

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politico.eu
OPINION: As the current consensus goes, Europe has smothered itself in unnecessary regulation, and growth will return once red tape is cut.

This agenda is bound to disappoint.
Europe is chasing the wrong fix for its growth crisis
The continent’s old growth model no longer works in today’s world. And EU leaders need a plan that matches the scale of this shift.
www.politico.eu
February 11, 2026 at 10:59 AM
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