Strategic Autonomy – Economy & Trade

The war in Ukraine has made evident the relevance of the already debated concept of “European Strategic Autonomy”. It conveys the idea that the EU should be able to (more) quickly take united decisions and act in response to immediate threats, but also strategically set its priorities and interests in face of the increasing geopolitical competition. Even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Europe had taken steps toward assuming a stronger and more pertinent role in the global order.

What is the EU’s capacity and agency to set priorities and make autonomous decisions in its external action? What are the political, institutional, and material requirements to fulfill Strategic Autonomy, and on which dimensions is the EU expected to make more sovereign decisions? What is the relevance of Strategic Autonomy to facing the challenges within and beyond European borders?

The Virtual Breakfast Briefings invite experts, policymakers, activists, and citizens to debate the concept of European Strategic Autonomy, looking into what it means and how it has recently developed, as well as been interpreted in the context of the war in Ukraine. Going beyond the military dimension, it is time for progressive thinkers to provide an in-depth reflection on Strategic Autonomy and set the agenda on the directions it should go in times of war.

FEPS, together with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the Fondation Jean-Jaurès (FJJ) invite you for a series of virtual breakfast briefings, open to the public, to discuss Strategic Autonomy from three dimensions, which are the building blocks of our collaborative flagship project “Strategic Autonomy – Pathways to Progressive Action”

Economy & Trade: 06 July 2022, 8:30 – 9:30 AM (CET)

The EU had already started a rethinking of the economic defense mechanisms to contrast foreign coercion before the Russian invasion of Ukraine; now the situation is even more complex, with foreign policy, economic development, security, and geopolitics more intertwined than ever.

In this policy breakfast session, experts will present realistic policy measures to defend the autonomy of EU foreign economic policy and ensure that it can pursue progressive goals abroad, with special attention to sanctions and the global financial architecture.

Besides the anti-coercion mechanisms, however, the best course of action for the EU is to gain as much as possible strategic power with a sound industrial policy. Is it possible to find the right balance between selective protectionism and openness to trade? Which are the instruments that the EU could employ to preserve and enhance the production capabilities in strategic sectors?

Speakers:

• Speakers:          Elina Ribakova (Deputy Chief Economist, Institute of International Finance)
• Discussant:       Kathleen Van Brempt (Member of the European Parliament)
• Moderator:       Aline Burni (FEPS)

This is the second event of the Strategic Autonomy Policy Breakfast Series. You can find the rest of the events here:

Strategic Autonomy – Security & Defense 5 July 8:30

Strategic Autonomy – Digital & Technology 7 July 8:30

Find out more about FEPS and partners’ work on Strategic Autonomy!