European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to provide more support to European industry in decarbonizing the economy. “We have transformed the climate agenda into an economic agenda,” she said in her fourth and possibly final State of the European Union speech, today in Strasbourg.
In his speech, he highlighted the importance of decarbonizing the economy. Von der Leyen pointed to heat waves across Europe, as well as forest fires and floods in Greece and Spain. “This is the reality of a planet that is on the boil”, stated the President of the Commission.
EU should investigate China’s electric cars
She announced an investigation into unfair competition in China’s electric cars. Electric mobility is a crucial industry for a “clean economy”. World markets are now being “flooded” by cheap Chinese electric cars, the price of which is being reduced by government subsidies.
However, Von der Leyen emphasized that it is important to keep communication channels with China open. “Minimizing risks, but not dissociating: that will be my position towards the Chinese leadership at the EU-China summit later this year”, said the President of the Commission.
Von der Leyen announces wind energy package
The Commission will also present a “wind energy package in Europe”. Approval procedures should be accelerated and auction systems should be improved “across the EU”. “We will focus on skills, access to finance and stable supply chains”, said the President of the Commission.
The Commission will also begin a series of energy transition dialogues with industry this month. “We will support the industry in this transition. You can trust it.