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Published on: 01/05/2026 - 18:05

Europe is still subject to contrary injunctions and maneuvers from Russia, the United States and even China, as it seeks the path to emancipation and independence. To talk about it, we welcome Stéphane Séjourné, vice-president of the European Commission and French commissioner responsible for prosperity and industrial strategy.

The European Union has approved a loan of 90 billion euros to Ukraine, intended to cover its needs until 2027. Massive support, but which does not mask the persistent divisions between Member States on the question of its membership. The German chancellor has even suggested that kyiv may have to concede parts of its territory to reach a peace agreement, or even pave the way for future European integration.

“We must continue to support Ukraine. This is the commitment we made at the European level, [...] and we have found the ways and means to be able to continue to support Ukraine without European public money, but with a loan that is guaranteed on Russian assets,” explains Stéphane Séjourné.

On the diplomatic front, the situation remains blocked: discussions between kyiv and Moscow are today “at a standstill”. In this context, "the question of accession appears too anticipated on the Commission's side. The modalities of possible accession are in reality very linked to the security guarantees that we owe to Ukraine."

Another subject of tension: the Israeli offensive in Lebanon is relaunching the debate on a possible suspension of the association agreement between the European Union and Israel. Spain, Ireland and Slovenia are pushing and demanding this suspension as well as a large citizen petition.

“It is not up to the Commission to express itself on this subject”, affirms Stéphane Séjourné, while recognizing that “the fact of having put the subject on the table is already a signal of discontent from some of the Member States”. In the absence of unanimity between the Twenty-Seven, a suspension today seems out of reach: "The Commission will have the power, if there is unanimity, to return to this agreement, but at this stage, this is not the case", he specifies.

Towards a “European preference”

On March 4, Stéphane Séjourné presented his bill on industrial acceleration (IAA) to see industry return to 20%, as it was in 1990, compared to 14% today. “We are flooded with Chinese products on the European market, often in sectors which are key and which are strategic, with dependencies which are not acceptable today in view of geopolitics, the uncertainties that we are experiencing”, explains Stéphane Séjourné. “On these questions, we propose adding a European preference clause [...] to prevent this industry from disappearing in the next five or ten years if we do nothing,” he continues.

The French commissioner for prosperity and industrial strategy also proposes to adopt rules on foreign investments in Europe, which would require the transfer of technology and a partnership with the continent's industries. “It is in some way bringing back to international standards a market of 450 million consumers which is the European Union, with comparable markets such as the United States or China,” he explains.

A “Made in Europe” approach which angered Beijing. China has threatened to retaliate if the European Union adopts its industrial accelerator project without taking its interests into account. “We are not doing it against China, we are not doing it against the United States, we are doing it for ourselves, to reduce our strategic dependencies and to guarantee to Member States all the industries which are necessary for their energy sovereignty”, replies Stéphane Séjourné, before adding that “China remains a trading partner, but we must re-establish a form of balance in our relations”.

Mercosur, Australia: contested agreements within the EU

The agreements with Mercosur enter into provisional application on May 1, 2026, but they are already contested. Poland plans to appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union. At the same time, a draft agreement with Australia is reviving the concerns of the agricultural world.

Behind these tensions, a fundamental question: can the European Union still conclude major international agreements while obtaining internal membership?

For Stéphane Séjourné, "we need trade agreements to diversify export sectors and seek out other markets, in order to reduce the influence of American markets and Chinese import markets."

Program prepared by Oihana Almandoz, Isabelle Romero and Aline Bottin

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