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We all followed the United States elections and their results in November. The American people elected President Trump and I don’t think we should be surprised that his administration will pursue its own interests.
Frankly, the European people also elect their own leaders and what I can tell you is that we will do everything in our power to stand-up for European families, farmers, businesses and products. That is our responsibility and we will not shy away from it. We can do so in a manner that is a win-win for all of us.
How do we navigate this new reality? Do we turn against each other, spiralling into a protectionist race that hurts us both? Or do we inject a dose of political realism and focus on strengthening the transatlantic bond where it matters most?
My view is simple: instead of grandstanding in the areas where we may have different outlooks, we should be pushing for a stronger partnership on defence, on trade, on global affairs. But that means that we need to start acting rather than reacting. Trade wars, with higher tariffs and counter tariffs, benefit nobody - but that means we must be prepared and ready for any eventuality. And in that way my hope is that the US will see that America First cannot happen if it becomes America only.
My point is that Europe’s approach needs to be one of equals - and that means stepping up.
On security: It means doing more to meet our NATO obligations and more. It means boosting defence spending and building a Europe that is not just safer but stronger - ready for today’s challenges and equipped for tomorrow’s uncertainties.
It also means building a complementary security framework to NATO, by supporting our defence industry, reducing duplications and enhancing interoperability. That is why supporting Ukraine, why standing with a free and democratic Belarus, is not only about altruism: it is about our security, Europe’s security, and the entire global security architecture. Poland understands this better than anyone.
From Georgia to Crimea to Belarus, you warned us about Russia for years. And even when it might have felt like no one was listening, you stood firm. Since day one of Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine, Poland has led and continues to lead on defence and security. Poland understands that Europe’s level of readiness must match the level of the threat. And the threat is real.
On trade: it is time for bolder ambition. Our strength lies in open, fair trade, based on international rules - not fencing ourselves in. Meaning that we need to work, we need to see where our positions are, we need to not wait decades before steps are taken, whilst others rush and close the doors for our businesses.
We need to also ensure access to the raw materials that are critical to helping our economy grow. If Europe does not step-up then it is no surprise if our competitors step-in.
And while trade opens doors, we need to remain vigilant that it does not close them, perhaps unintentionally, for those who sustain our communities. Our farmers and producers’ concerns - rising costs, market pressures and quality standards cannot be ignored. We need to protect the most sensitive sectors while enabling export driven industries to strive. Recent balanced solutions prove that we can do that. I know that we can do it again.
On doing business in Europe: We are proud - and rightly so - of our system of open markets and social safety nets. That is what makes the European way different and it works. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be honest with ourselves as to where improvements – sometimes big ones - are needed.
I want the legacy of this 10th European Parliament Legislature which we’ve just started, to be one of simplification, implementation and realism. Meaning cutting back on red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy that pushes people and jobs away.
Smarter regulation does not mean more regulation. It means creating practical, efficient policies that are easy to implement and deliver real results.
The reality is that we have not yet been able to consolidate our advantageous single market in too many areas. Political differences mean that we are still not where we need to be on telecoms, on banking and capital markets, on so many other areas....
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