EU will struggle to boost industrial competitiveness

Significance The report’s main proposals include calls for a major increase in private and public investment and a looser EU policy towards the mergers of large companies. Impacts Without more subsidies, taking tougher action against Chinese imports will only have a limited impact in strengthening EU manufacturers. The EU is less likely to intervene in a case involving the potential merger of two large companies. The EU’s competitiveness could be further damaged should Donald Trump win the US presidential election and increase tariffs on imports.