On Monday, 12 May, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen initiated the first-ever strategic dialogues in Brussels with top representatives from Europe’s defence and chemical industries. These crucial meetings aimed to identify shared challenges and map out strategies to significantly enhance the competitiveness, resilience, and innovation of these vital sectors. Thus, safeguarding European security and economic prosperity in the current evolving global landscape.
The Defence industry dialogue
The first of these high-level discussions focused on the European defence industry, a sector whose strength is paramount in the face of increased geopolitical instability, notably Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. President von der Leyen and Defence Commissioner Kubilius underscored the urgent need for Europe’s defence sector to respond with both speed and scale. While acknowledging the industry’s commendable efforts to ramp up production, she highlighted persistent structural hurdles. These include the fragmentation of demand and supply across member states, complex regulatory barriers, securing access to essential raw materials, and the continuous pressure to keep pace with rapid innovation cycles. Furthermore, ensuring access to finance for crucial investments and attracting skilled labour, particularly in STEM fields, were identified as key concerns.
To tackle these challenges, the Commission reiterated its commitment to collaborating closely with the industry. A significant upcoming initiative is the Defence Omnibus package, expected in June 2025, designed to streamline rules and regulations covering certifications, permits, and joint procurement frameworks. This aligns with the broader “ReArm Europe Plan,” which aims to unlock €800 billion in investment and encourage more collaborative defence spending within Europe. The dialogue saw constructive exchanges on securing investments, enhancing industrial cooperation, fostering technological advancement, and developing a robust workforce.
The Chemical Sector strategic dialogue
Shortly after, President von der Leyen, alongside Executive Vice-President Séjourné and Commissioner Roswall, convened a similar strategic dialogue with leaders of Europe’s chemical industry. The dialogue underscored the Commission’s dedication to boosting the chemical industry’s competitiveness while upholding high standards of sustainability, security, and safety.
Key topics discussed included the burden of high energy costs, the need to improve access to capital for investment in green and digital transitions, and the challenge of unfair trade practices and international tariffs. Industry representatives also stressed the complexity of the current regulatory framework and the importance of diversifying supply chains. In response, President von der Leyen underscored the significance of the “Clean Industrial Deal” in addressing these problems. To maintain EU leadership in chemical safety alongside industrial strength, the Commission announced an upcoming Action Plan for the chemical sector by summer, a sector-specific Omnibus legislative package, and a comprehensive Chemicals Industry Package by the end of 2025, all aiming to ensure that consumer protection and competitiveness go hand in hand.
Conclusions
These inaugural strategic dialogues mark a significant step in the European Commission’s proactive approach to bolstering two of the continent’s most critical industrial ecosystems. By fostering direct engagement with industry leaders, the Commission aims to create tailored, effective policies that address specific challenges.
The upcoming legislative packages for defence (June 2025) and chemicals (summer and end of the year) signal a clear commitment to translating these discussions into tangible actions. The ultimate goal is to ensure that Europe’s defence and chemical industries are not only competitive and innovative but also robust enough to support the EU’s strategic autonomy and secure a prosperous future for its citizens. Finally, President von der Leyen and industry representatives agreed on the importance of continued close contact to navigate the path ahead.
