Defending the Green Deal

author: FutureCar Staff    

Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. In her final address of her first term as President of the European Commission, she defended her European Green Deal and criticized Chinese dominance in clean energy.

Von der Leyen highlighted the recent wildfires in Spain and Greece as evidence of the urgent need to protect the planet. She emphasized the increase in clean steel factories in the past five years and the growing investment in clean hydrogen in the European Union, surpassing both the US and China.

She expressed determination to stay ambitious and committed to a fair and just transition towards a healthier planet for future generations. The success of her speech will be measured by whether she can present a renewed vision for Europe's green transition and unite political factions against climate change.

The focus of her speech on the Green Deal included topics such as the expansion of electric vehicles, the success of the wind and solar industries, and the implementation of acts to strengthen the bloc's response to the climate crisis.

Von der Leyen also addressed China's unfair trade practices in the clean energy sector. She criticized heavily subsidized Chinese competitors that have pushed European businesses out of the market, leading to bankruptcies. She announced that the Commission will launch an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, receiving support from Manfred Weber, leader of the EPP.

While emphasizing Europe's commitment to fair competition, von der Leyen acknowledged the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and dialogue with China. This may be an attempt to preserve diplomatic relations ahead of the EU-China summit later this year.

Various industry leaders expressed their support for von der Leyen's commitment to critical industries in Europe, particularly in the solar sector. They emphasized the need for decisive action to support the solar supply chain and address challenges faced by solar project developers and manufacturers.

The State of the Union speech precedes the European Parliament elections scheduled for next year. However, von der Leyen has not yet announced whether she will run for a second term. Many will closely analyze her speech to assess her commitment to the EU's climate targets for 2040 and 2050.

FutureCar Staff