European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged a renewed push to strengthen the EU single market and reduce bureaucracy as EU leaders prepare for a summit at Alden Biesen Castle in Belgium.
In a letter sent to national leaders, von der Leyen warned that the world is increasingly defined by “raw power, strategic rivalry and the weaponisation of dependencies,” urging the bloc to boost competitiveness and economic independence.
“It is clear that we can no longer do business as usual. Diverging national rules and trading conditions across Member States deter businesses from achieving their full potential and limit Europe’s competitiveness. Our primary focus must be to remove these internal barriers,” von der Leyen wrote.
The upcoming summit will focus on how the EU can leverage its 27-member single market to compete with global rivals such as the United States and China, and avoid being sidelined in strategic sectors.
Von der Leyen outlined key priorities for the Commission:
- Cutting red tape and reducing EU bureaucracy, with a report to be presented to leaders on progress.
- Diversifying trade partnerships while promoting a “European preference” in public procurement.
- Exploring alternative mechanisms to bypass objections from individual member states if unanimity cannot be achieved on critical economic policies.
The initiative comes as EU capitals diverge on priorities. Germany has called for targeted deregulation to support small and medium-sized enterprises, while France seeks guarantees that public funds for defense, infrastructure, and technology are spent primarily with European suppliers.
Analysts caution that while von der Leyen’s plans are ambitious, implementation faces deep political challenges, as achieving consensus among all 27 members on regulatory harmonization and procurement policies has historically proven difficult.
“If progress is slowed by national disagreements, Europe risks losing its competitiveness and global influence,” experts warn, highlighting the urgency of the proposed reforms.
