European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a wide-ranging speech at the 2025 European People’s Party (EPP) Congress, spotlighting Europe’s strategic challenges and opportunities—from trade and defence to migration and internal market reform.
Speaking in front of party members and allies, von der Leyen opened with a nod to the recent mass blackout affecting Spain, Portugal, and parts of France. She praised the calm response of citizens and the efforts of first responders, underlining solidarity as a core European value.
But it didn’t take long before the tone shifted to more pressing political and economic issues. On transatlantic trade tensions, von der Leyen took direct aim at the United States’ tariff policies, which she described as harmful to global supply chains and inflationary for everyday European citizens. She warned that “tariffs are like taxes” and expressed concern about their disproportionate impact on smaller businesses and low-income families.
What’s Europe’s answer to these headwinds? According to von der Leyen, it’s consistency and openness. She reminded her audience that the EU maintains the world’s largest trade network, with agreements spanning 76 countries. While new deals are being shaped with partners from Southeast Asia to Latin America, von der Leyen stressed that Europe’s credibility comes from “playing by the rules,” not by changing them to suit short-term goals.
She also turned inward. The European Single Market, often viewed as the EU’s biggest achievement, isn’t functioning as smoothly as it could. Overlapping national regulations and bureaucratic hurdles are stifling growth, especially for digital startups. To fix this, the Commission has introduced a so-called “omnibus” plan to streamline laws and remove internal trade barriers. “If we remove all trade obstacles inside our Union, we could boost our GDP by as much as 10%,” she stated.
Security, both internal and external, occupied a central part of her address. Migration was tackled with a two-pronged approach: reduce illegal arrivals and improve return rates. She acknowledged a persistent flaw—only 20% of rejected asylum seekers leave Europe—and pledged stronger legislation to fix it. At the same time, she advocated for more legal pathways for skilled migration, noting Europe’s demographic and labor market needs.
When it came to defence, von der Leyen didn’t mince words. With Russia’s threat growing and the U.S. increasingly focused on Asia, Europe, she said, needs to assume more responsibility. The last year, she noted, has seen €800 billion committed to boosting defence capabilities, marking one of the most active periods in the EU’s military integration history.
She also tied security to values. Invoking the founders of post-war Europe, von der Leyen argued that the “European way” is not about power projection but safeguarding peace and democracy. She drew a clear line between the EPP’s vision and that of the far-right and far-left, whom she accused of aligning—whether intentionally or not—with Vladimir Putin’s interests. “Only a strong Europe can protect peace in our continent,” she declared, emphasizing unwavering support for Ukraine and its EU aspirations.
The speech closed with an emotional appeal to shared European values. Citing the EPP’s founding manifesto, von der Leyen said the mission remains unchanged: “a Europe of free people, free to choose our path.”
