EU Commission to unveil new economic security doctrine amid mounting global risks
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The European Commission is set to introduce a new economic security doctrine aimed at anticipating trade threats and taking a more strategic approach to the EU’s existing trade tools. The guidelines, to be presented on Wednesday, are intended to strengthen the bloc’s market protection amid growing foreign risks.
The initiative follows months of tensions with China, which has restricted exports of rare earths and semiconductors, critical for several strategic EU industries. At the same time, Brussels is navigating a significant shift in US trade policy, where a nationalist and protectionist approach has pressured the EU into what many consider an uneven trade agreement reached in July 2025.
Unlike the June 2023 economic security strategy, which focused on “promote, protect, partner,” the new doctrine will emphasise “protect and partner.” It will identify risks beyond the sensitive technology sectors already covered, including semiconductors, AI, quantum technology, and biotechnology.
The document will outline how the EU should respond to economic threats using its existing trade arsenal, such as anti-dumping duties, investment screening, and the Anti-Coercion Instrument adopted in 2023—without redefining when these tools can be applied, as this is already established in EU law. Brussels plans to move from a reactive stance to a more proactive approach, signalling a significant shift in the EU’s strategy to safeguard its economic and technological interests.
