- The European Union has unveiled plans to strengthen economic security and protect sensitive technology from geopolitical rivals, particularly China.
- One of the key initiatives in the economic security package is toughening rules on the screening of foreign direct investment to prevent sensitive technology from falling into the wrong hands.
- The EU is emphasizing the need to de-risk economic interdependencies with China while maintaining economic ties, a significant shift advocated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The European Union has unveiled a comprehensive economic security package aimed at protecting key technological industries from potential threats posed by China.
The package, which includes measures to strengthen and safeguard critical infrastructure and technology, comes amid growing concerns over China’s influence in key economic sectors. The EU has expressed particular unease over Beijing’s aggressive pursuit of advanced technology and intellectual property.
Under the new package, the EU will impose strict controls on foreign investments in key technological sectors, with a focus on preventing takeovers of strategic companies by non-EU entities. This move is designed to protect vital technologies and prevent them from falling into the hands of foreign rivals.
In addition, the EU will also work to promote the development of European champions in key technology sectors, in an effort to ensure the continent remains competitive against the growing dominance of Chinese firms.
Furthermore, the EU unveiled plans to create a new fund aimed at supporting the development and production of critical technologies within the bloc, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
The economic security package has been welcomed by European leaders, who see it as a necessary step to safeguarding the continent’s technological sovereignty. However, it has also raised concerns about potential retaliation from China, which has already expressed displeasure with the EU’s growing focus on economic security.
The unveiling of the package signals a growing recognition within the EU of the need to protect key technologies and industries from foreign influence, particularly from China. As global competition intensifies, it is clear that economic security will remain a top priority for the European Union in the years to come.