The updated EU industrial strategy presented at Industry4Europe plenary session

The EU industrial strategy was updated to address a number of issues that emerged during and after the Covid-19 crisis.

First, the dramatic consequences of the sudden restrictions at EU internal borders, aggravated by the poor coordination and information sharing by the EU member states, which caused disruptions to European supply chains, some of which of products of vital importance. To learn the lesson of the Covid- 19 crisis and ensure the availability and free movement of persons, goods and services in the context of possible future crises, the Commission will propose in 2022 a Single Market Emergency Instrument. Looking more specifically at economic sectors, the EU updated industrial strategy identified 14 industrial ecosystems including construction to streamline efforts to accelerate the economic recovery as well as the green and digital transition.

Second, the disruptions of EU global supply chains caused by excessive dependencies on a limited number of countries for specific products and raw materials, some of which of key importance for the EU. For this reason, the Commission carried out a comprehensive analysis to understand and address the issue of strategic dependencies and capacities. In the future, the Commission will ensure a periodic review of strategic dependencies that will be addressed with a mix of policy tools in the area of international trade agreements and partnerships, but also in the context of EU industrial alliances, IPCEIs, standards and public procurement.

Third, the acceleration of the green and digital transitions supported by a clear business case. To enable the acceleration of the twin transition, the Commission will promote in a holistic way access to finance, capacities and infrastructures, raw materials, decarbonized energy and the right skills, in particular for SMEs which ultimately are the backbone of the EU economy.

After giving the overview on the EU industrial strategy Ms Del Brenna exchanged with some industrial representatives at the plenary session and confirmed her willingness to keep the dialogue open with the coalition.