EU leaders met in a Belgian castle to address the challenges facing Europe’s economy from China and the United States. The urgency of the situation has been heightened by geopolitical events and increased global competition. While there is consensus on the need to revitalize Europe’s economy, there are differing opinions on the best approach.
France and Germany have differing views on supporting EU companies and implementing joint debt measures. However, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz aimed to show a united front during the meeting. Macron stressed the importance of Europe acting decisively in response to pressures such as unfair competition and US tariffs. Merz echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need to enhance and expedite the functioning of the European Union. The leaders expressed their mutual agreement on these critical issues.