Von der Leyen tries to stem tide on global threats ― from Trump to AI and climate

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a passionate State of the Union speech in Strasbourg, warning of the myriad global threats that are undermining Europe's power and prosperity. The EU's president emphasized the need for independence in economic, military, and technological spheres, describing the current era as a "complex age of great possibilities and great perils."

While her annual address typically focused on EU policies, this time von der Leyen sounded more like a direct appeal to European citizens to shape the kind of future they desire.

In a challenging geopolitical landscape, von der Leyen highlighted the importance of European unity, stating that "Europe stands up for each other." She addressed two specific cases: Ukraine and Greenland, neither of which are EU members, to illustrate her point. The President also expressed her ambition to elevate Canada to the status of an associate member of the EU, despite potential tensions with the United States over their trade dispute.

Von der Leyen directly addressed the existential threats Europe faces, including climate change and AI development. She expressed concern over the rapid warming in Europe, which is occurring at double the global rate, and the recent heat waves and wildfires. She emphasized the need for the EU to transition to a greener economy, outlining plans for a European Heatwave Plan and a Water Initiative to address water scarcity.

Von der Leyen strongly defended the EU's green ambitions and called for a continued commitment to climate targets and preparedness.

Despite the serious nature of her speech, von der Leyen also acknowledged the daily concerns of the EU's 450 million citizens. She urged politicians and voters to move towards a more centrist approach, countering the growing influence of nationalist far-right parties in EU countries like Germany and France.