Jan 22, 2026 16:00:00

European Commission President declares importance of strengthening EU power, calling for 'fair trade over tariffs, partnership over isolation, and sustainability over exploitation'

European Commission President Wasla von der Leyen delivered a speech outlining the EU's position and strategy at

the World Economic Forum 2026 (Davos Conference) , which opened in Davos, Switzerland on January 19, 2026. In her speech, she emphasized the need to strengthen the European Union's 'new form of European independence' in the rapidly changing international situation.

Press corner | European Commission
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/da/speech_26_150

In her speech at the Davos Forum, President von der Leyen said, 'Now more than ever, Europe needs to be willing to take ownership of its power, whether it be capital or energy.' The theme of the 2026 Davos Forum is 'A Spirit of Dialogue,' and she argued that the spirit of dialogue will be even more important in a world that is more divided and conflicts are intensifying than ever before.

While von der Leyen also used the phrase 'an independent Europe' in 2025, she said that the phrase has even greater meaning in light of the dramatic changes taking place around the world. She went on to declare, 'If the changes taking place in the world are permanent, then Europe must also change permanently. Now is the time to seize this opportunity and build a new, independent Europe.'

As an example of 'European independence,' the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement between the EU and South American trade blocs was signed in January 2026 after nearly 25 years of negotiations. This trade agreement will create the world's largest free trade area between the EU and South America. President von der Leyen said that it also sent a powerful message to the world that the EU is serious about 'fair trade over tariffs,' 'partnership over isolation,' 'sustainability over exploitation,' and 'economic risk reduction and supply chain diversification.'

The report states that Europe possesses the necessary assets to attract investment: resources, skills, and innovation. It also emphasizes the importance of focusing on essential elements to maximize these assets. The three essential elements are the creation of an appropriate and predictable regulatory environment, the need for large, deep, and liquid capital markets, and interconnected, affordable energy markets. By achieving these, Europe will gain the independence and strength to compete in increasingly fierce international competition.

Von der Leyen also addressed U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion of sovereignty over the Danish territory of Greenland. She stated that the United States and Europe share the same goal of addressing Arctic security and that Arctic security can only be achieved through cooperation. 'That's why additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies. The EU and the United States agreed on a trade agreement in July 2025. In politics and business, an agreement is an agreement. When friends shake hands, it should mean something.' She also stated that she is working to establish principles for supporting Arctic security. Following a meeting at Davos, President Trump announced that he would 'cancel the additional tariffs that were scheduled to take effect on eight European countries' on January 21, 2026.

Von der Leyen also emphasized that 'European independence' does not mean 'decoupling from the United States.' She emphasized that 'European independence' means strengthening autonomy on the premise of cooperation, and stressed the importance of promoting dialogue with friendly countries, partners, and, if necessary, hostile countries.