Reducing strategic dependencies can only be achieved through stable international partnerships. Trade agreements, raw material cooperation, and digital partnerships are central components of a resilient European economy.

The EU should consistently implement existing agreements and strategically pursue new partnerships. Equally important is close collaboration with reliable partner countries to diversify supply chains and reduce risks.

Economic security arises not through isolation but through reliable and rules-based international cooperation.

Companies are already working intensively to make their supply chains more resilient. However, this process is significantly hampered by high costs, regulatory requirements, and complex procedures.

Noticeable progress in reducing bureaucracy, accelerating approval processes, and reliable, bundled funding structures is required. Only then can companies effectively expand their resilience.

Crucially, the design of supply chains must remain a business decision. State control is not a suitable approach here.

The EU needs effective tools to respond to economic coercion. However, these must be targeted, proportionate, and closely coordinated with the business sector.

The focus is on consistently further developing existing tools, particularly in the areas of export controls and investment reviews. At the same time, additional regulatory complexities should be avoided if existing mechanisms are sufficient.

Protection measures should fundamentally be an ultima ratio after exhausting other measures to preserve strategic economic sectors.