Barry Cowen, MEP, addresses Parliament on the loss of manufacturing and skilled jobs across Europe and urges a shift from blame to domestic reform. He argues that high energy costs, slow permitting and a lack of cross‑border infrastructure are undermining European competitiveness and costing jobs.
Key message
Barry Cowen warns that hundreds of thousands of car manufacturers and thousands of jobs in agri-tech, steel and chemicals are leaving Europe. While unfair competition and state subsidies matter, Cowen says the immediate problem is internal: high energy costs and lengthy planning processes.
Costs and permitting
Cowen highlights that Europe’s energy costs remain among the highest in the developed world and that planning and permitting delays prevent timely investment. He tells colleagues the familiar refrain of blaming external competitors must be matched by fixing domestic obstacles.
Infrastructure and trade
Arguing for strategic autonomy to be matched by action, Cowen calls for bold infrastructure projects such as a European super grid and faster permitting. He warns trade defences have a place, but they are not a substitute for improving Europe’s competitiveness from within.
Policy prescription
Cowen concludes that the best way to protect European jobs is not to keep others out but to make Europe competitive again: permit quicker, invest more, build faster and lower costs to retain industry and jobs across the continent.
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Colleagues, hundreds of thousands of car manufacturers are leaving Europe. Thousands more jobs in agri-tech, steel and chemical sectors. We hear stories like these almost every day. And we're often told who's to blame. It's China. It's South America. It's unfair competition. It's illegal state subsidies. And yes, sometimes factors like market distortions and unfair trade practices play a role. But there's a saying back home, before pointing the finger at someone else, make sure your own house is in order. And our energy costs remain among the highest in the developed world. Planning and permitting take far too long. We talk endlessly about strategic autonomy, yet still we haven't moved heaven and earth to build infrastructure the likes of a European super grid. Trade defences have their place, but Europe's biggest competitiveness problem is Europe itself. So when the EU Commission holds trade talks with the likes of China, many spend their time calling for more tariffs and bans. But I know what we should remain focused on. Making Europe competitive again. We need to permit quicker, invest more, build faster and lower costs. Because the best way to protect European jobs isn't keeping others out, it's making Europe competitive again.
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