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The concept of European strategic autonomy has emerged as a pivotal framework in debates about the European Union's future role on the global stage. Advocates argue that the EU must reduce its dependency on external powers, particularly the United States and China, to safeguard its security, economic resilience, and technological sovereignty. This viewpoint gained momentum through key developments, including the 2016 EU-NATO Joint Declaration signed in Warsaw, which called for deeper cooperation between the two organizations on European security. French President Emmanuel Macron further crystallized the idea in his 2017 Sorbonne speech,¹⁾ emphasizing the need for a more self-sufficient Europe capable of independent decision-making. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored these concerns by revealing critical vulnerabilities in global supply chains, such as shortages of medical equipment in 2020, reinforcing calls for greater EU autonomy in essential sectors. Proponents-ranging from political leaders to strategic thinkers-contend that strengthening self-reliance in defense, technology, trade, and industrial policy is not only a matter of sovereignty but also a necessity for long-term stability.

Supporters of European strategic autonomy contend that enhancing self-sufficiency across defense, technology, and energy is essential for preserving EU sovereignty and stability. In security, they highlight initiatives like the european-defense-fund, which allocates €8 billion to foster a competitive defense industrial base, as proof that autonomy does not require abandoning NATO but rather complementing it. The 2017 launch of permanent-structured-cooperation (PESCO), involving 25 member states, exemplifies efforts to deepen military integration without relying solely on U.S. leadership.

Economically, advocates argue for policies like the EU Industrial Strategy, which prioritizes domestic semiconductor and battery production to insulate critical supply chains from geopolitical disruptions.²⁾ Tensions with the Biden administration over digital taxes underscore the need for such resilience, they contend, as external pressures could otherwise constrain European economic policy.

In technology, proposals like the european-chips-act-a €43 billion investment in semiconductor manufacturing-and the European Commission's proposed European Sovereignty Fund reflect a shared belief that nurturing European champions is vital to avoid dependency on non-EU suppliers. Energy security measures, such as the REPowerEU plan to wean Europe off Russian gas and reduce vulnerability to U.S. LNG price fluctuations, further illustrate this philosophy.

Proponents assert that these steps are not isolationist but pragmatic: ensuring the EU can act independently when necessary while maintaining partnerships. They view strategic autonomy as a safeguard against fragmentation and external coercion, ultimately strengthening Europe's ability to shape its own future.

French President Emmanuel Macron has been a leading advocate for European strategic autonomy, particularly through his 2017 speech “Initiative for Europe” at the Sorbonne University,³⁾ in which he emphasized the need for a more self-sufficient Europe capable of independent decision-making in defense and technology. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, reinforced this stance in her 2019 political guidelines “A Union that Strives for More,”⁴⁾ emphasizing self-reliance in critical industries and defense. Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, has expanded on these ideas through his tenure, calling for a more assertive European foreign policy and contributing to the development of the EU Strategic Compass.

Charles Michel, as President of the European Council, advanced the concept through the October 2020 council conclusions on strategic autonomy, which formally endorsed strategic autonomy as a key objective of the Union and outlined steps to reduce external dependencies.⁵⁾ Think tanks such as France's Institut Montaigne and the Jacques Delors Institute have provided intellectual support, publishing research on defense integration, supply chain resilience, and technological sovereignty. Meanwhile, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has expressed caution regarding excessive autonomy, advocating for a balanced approach that maintains transatlantic partnerships while strengthening EU capabilities.

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1. Emmanuel Macron, “Initiative for Europe,” speech delivered at the Sorbonne University, Paris, September 26, 2017. 2. European Commission, “A New Industrial Strategy for Europe,” COM(2020) 102 final, March 10, 2020. 3. Ursula von der Leyen, “A Union that Strives for More: My Agenda for Europe,” address to the European Parliament, July 16, 2019. 4. European Council, “A New Strategic Agenda 2019-2024” (Brussels: European Council, June 20, 2019); European Council conclusions, October 1-2, 2020.