European competitiveness of the single market : what the future holds

Abstract

This panel will explore the rationale and contours of an emerging EU industrial policy and address the debate between protection vs. protectionism in the context of ongoing work to reform the EU Single Market and define a new strategy for competitiveness at EU level. The green transition will be discussed as a test case for this new strategy. Does it try to accelerate the green transition through promotion and protection of more sustainable products and production methods? Or does it prioritise geopolitical competition for resources like rare earths that may feed into the green transition but above all benefits established players in the fossil-based economy?