Europe’s competitiveness and unity were in focus at a Euronews Executive Lunch in Davos, as the new Trump administration begins its term.
ADVERTISEMENTEurope’s competitiveness and unity were the main topic at a Euronews Executive Lunch held at the Davos Summit in Switzerland, with top political and business figures debating the EU’s economic thrust ahead as the new Trump administration begins its term.
"The new Trump administration is a huge opportunity for Europe because Europe needs to - and I'm convinced it will - get its act together to be more independent, to become even more integrated, to complete some of the big projects that were already there for quite a while, so that we are our own continent and do not need to rely on the US as an ally, as a friend," Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President and founder of Women Political Leaders, told Euronews.
Donald Trump’s inauguration speech did not address global issues, suggesting it might follow an isolationist agenda. Europe, meanwhile, has been gearing up for a Trump presidency with a focus on unity of action.
"We need more investments in the fields of security and defence if we want to have more influence on our own future. If you don't want to be a playground for others, then that means it is time to act," former President of the European Council Charles Michel said.
He stressed that the EU had to "regulate better" on the one hand, and "to integrate more" on the other.
The speakers at Euronews’ event in Davos also insisted that the European Union should invest in digitalisation and AI if it wants to remain competitive.
"What we would like to do is to kind of be an alternative for Europe in many ways. And of course, obviously, continuing what we have been doing for the last two decades, which is contributing to Europe's digitalisation, and I think also help Europe to basically prepare for AI, become AI ready," said Kenneth Fredriksen, Senior Vice President of Huawei Europe.
In the coming days up until 26 January, major global political and economic figures that have gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, are set to discuss the most pressing issues currently facing the world.