Overview

• He said Europe’s growth model is fading, vulnerabilities are rising and there is no clear way to fund needed investment, urging results in months rather than years.
• He urged considering joint or coalition borrowing to finance large cross‑border projects that lift productivity in technology, energy and defence.
• He highlighted a widening tech gap, noting the EU produced only 3 large AI models last year versus 40 in the United States and 15 in China, as high energy costs strain data‑center and industrial plans.
• He challenged assumptions behind the 2035 zero‑emission car goal, citing slower‑than‑expected EV uptake, fragmented supply chains and a charging rollout that must accelerate three to four times.
• He argued Europe’s reliance on U.S. defence has weakened its trade leverage as tariffs rose, while reporting points to the clearest advances in defence tools such as SAFE and Readiness 2030.