European Leaders Call for Deregulatory Push to Compete With US, China

Europe must cut red tape fast or fall further behind the United States and China, leaders say, as factories face slow permits and high energy costs.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech during the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium, on Feb. 11, 2026. Nicolas Tucat/AFP via Getty Images

European leaders have said that the European Union risks falling further behind the United States and China unless it rapidly cuts red tape and simplifies regulation.

The comments came as EU political and business leaders met at the European Industry Summit on Feb. 11 in Antwerp, Belgium, to discuss how to strengthen the bloc’s economic competitiveness.