Stéphane Séjourné, the French Vice-President of the European Commission for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, presented a new European strategy aimed at revitalizing the continent's industrial sector, which seeks to reduce reliance on countries such as China and the United States.

This announcement took place in Brussels as Séjourné prepares for a visit to Catalonia, where he met with President Salvador Illa and scheduled visits to significant industrial sites, including a hydrogen valley in Tarragona and the Celsa steel company.

In response to recent tariffs imposed by the United States, the European Union has proposed a reciprocal measure amounting to €26 billion.

Séjourné acknowledged the challenging landscape for negotiations with the new U.S. administration but affirmed the commitment to protect the interests of European businesses and citizens.

He highlighted the need to reinforce the European industrial model as a defensive strategy.

Séjourné expressed uncertainty regarding ongoing confrontations throughout the current mandate but reiterated Europe's stability as a favorable investment environment.

He called for diversification of trade partnerships, emphasizing new alliances with nations such as India and Mercosur to mitigate dependence on Chinese markets.

The strategy includes strengthening the internal market of the EU and fostering competitiveness amid international uncertainties.

Key elements of the clean industrial pact announced by Séjourné involve a collective approach to purchasing critical materials, similar to the coordination seen during vaccine procurement amid the pandemic.

He noted that Europe's energy decarbonization efforts are now an economic imperative, particularly in light of the ongoing impacts of the Ukrainian crisis on gas supplies.

The EU faces an 80% dependency on China for raw materials crucial for industrial competitiveness, prompting calls for new trade agreements with countries like Argentina and New Zealand, while also advocating for the reopening of mining operations across Europe.

Future projects for the Commission include public financing guarantees for new mining ventures within the EU to secure supply chains and stabilize pricing on essential materials.

On energy, Séjourné discussed initiatives to lessen reliance on Russian gas through long-term contracts and public banking mechanisms, aiming to maintain stable prices while encouraging increased production and diversification in energy sources, including clean hydrogen and renewable energy.

In terms of infrastructure, Séjourné acknowledged support for projects such as the H2MED corridor, designed to enhance energy interconnections between Barcelona and Marseille, which he believes will help mitigate price volatility in the market.

Concerns about potential compromises on climate objectives during the reindustrialization process were addressed, with Séjourné asserting that the EU's climate goals remain intact.

Adjustments in bureaucratic processes are anticipated to facilitate investments, thereby aligning operational methods with competitive goals while considering the broader geopolitical context.

As the automotive industry faces scrutiny over emission targets, Séjourné highlighted the EU's decision to postpone sanctions for manufacturers temporarily, maintaining a balanced approach that assists the industry while enforcing necessary regulations.

Discussing Europe’s industrial landscape, particularly Spain's role as the continent's fourth most industrialized nation, Séjourné noted that nearly 10% of vehicles are produced there.

He commended Catalonia's innovative approaches to decarbonization and indicated that the region's efforts serve as a model for broader European strategies.

The Spanish chemical industry contributes significantly to the national GDP, and Séjourné recently announced a strategic dialogue plan to support this sector as part of a comprehensive European decarbonization strategy.