Ursula von der Leyen – Photo © European Union 2023 – Source EP
(STRASBOURG) – The EU is to launch an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced in her State of the European Union speech Wednesday.
The Commission president said the EU had undergone a substantial transformation since she first presented her programme in 2019, adding: “We have delivered over 90% of the political guidelines I presented” back then.
Announcing the anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, she said “We must defend ourselves against unfair practices”. Much of her speech focused on the achievements and new initiatives to implement the EU’s ‘Green Deal’, the decarbonisation of Europe’s industry while maintaining its competitiveness.
Ms von der Leyen vowed to keep supporting European industry throughout this transition.
Having started with a package of measures from the Net-Zero Industry Act to the Critical Raw Materials Act – the Commission would be holding a series of Clean Transition Dialogues with industry, the core aim being to “to support every sector in building its business model for the decarbonisation of industry”. The Commission would be putting forward a European Wind Power package working closely with industry and Member States.
The Commission chief stressed the importance of a fair transition for farmers, families and industry and that “Europe will do ‘whatever it takes’ to keep its competitive edge.” She announced a competitiveness check by an independent board for every new legislation.
Also in her speech, with regard to Artificial Intelligence, Ms von der Leyen said that AI will improve healthcare, boost productivity and help to address climate change. The Commission’s “number one priority is to ensure AI develops in a human-centric, transparent and responsible way” she said, also calling for an international panel of experts similar to the IPCC on climate change to steer its development.
On Ukraine, she announced that the Commission will propose the extension of the EU’s temporary protection to Ukrainians and an additional 50 billion euros over four years for investment and reforms. “Our support to Ukraine will endure.”
The Commission president also referred to the rule of law, enlargement, migration, EU-Africa relations, the Global Gateway initiative, climate change, food security, and an upcoming Social Partner Summit.
2023 State of the Union Address by Commission President von der Leyen
