Von der Leyen: European Independence, Arctic Security, and US Tensions

Shifting Global Landscape

• 💡 The international order is undergoing a seismic and permanent shift, characterized by raw power and rapid change.
• 🧠 Europe must deal with the world as it is now, accelerating its push for independence in economy, security, technology, and democracy.

European Independence and Strategic Autonomy

• 🚀 Europe needs its own levers of power, including a strong economy, thriving single market, innovation capacity, united societies, and a real capacity to defend ourselves.
• ✅ This independence is about building a stronger Union, requiring a departure from traditional caution and a transformation of mindset and institutions.

Greenland's Sovereignty and Arctic Security

• 📌 Greenland is home to a free and sovereign people, and its future is for Greenlanders alone to decide, rejecting external control.
• 🤝 Europe and the US are aligned on Arctic security and work together within NATO, making the threat of additional tariffs for security reasons simply wrong.
• 🛡️ Europe will implement a strategic approach for Arctic security, involving massive investment in Greenland and strengthening security arrangements with partners like the UK, Canada, and Norway.

Unwavering Support for Ukraine

• 🇺🇦 European security and independence are contingent on the situation in Ukraine, which continues to face Russian attacks.
• 💪 Europe will continue to support Ukraine in every way, having agreed to jointly raise 90 billion euros to demonstrate unfaltering commitment and solidarity until a just peace is achieved.

Economic Resilience Through Trade

• 📈 Reducing dependencies requires economic independence, with trade being crucial for supply chains and derisking efforts.
• 🌍 New trade deals, such as with Mercosur and India, will open massive opportunities, create jobs, and enhance Europe's resilience and security of supply.
• 📊 The Mercosur deal is expected to bring significant benefits to European industries like automotive, chemicals, and machinery, while also securing access to raw materials.