Europe’s Political Economy
The EPC’s Europe’s Political Economy Programme (EPE) focuses on EU economic governance, the single market, and digital, industrial, energy, trade, and economic security policies amid significant geo-economic and technological shifts. In a world of rising geopolitical competition and a fragmenting economy, the EPE has been at the forefront of research on Europe’s competitiveness agenda, the "triple" green, digital and economic security transitions and "wartime economy". The EPE's cross-programme flagship initiative, the Brussels Economic Security Forum, examines EU-US-China dynamics, changing international economic rules and statecraft, as well as related EU policy challenges. As fast-advancing components of economic security, critical emerging technologies in clean tech, semiconductor and AI value chains and quantum are priority areas of focus. Using its convening power and multistakeholder taskforce model, the Programme aims to provide in-depth analysis and actionable recommendations to tackle key policy challenges. The EPE team comprises a diverse group of analysts with backgrounds from government, the private sector, academia, and journalism, bringing a broad range of expertise to its work.
Europe’s competitiveness is under threat, amplified by a world defined by predatory economic actors, coercion, and a growing shift toward mercantilism without rules. Open markets alone are no longer enough when interdependence is weaponized and state power is used to distort competition. The ability to protect oneself economically has become a precondition for prosperity.
For a Commentary Piece concerning the EU leader's retreat 12 February 20296.
