Italian Prime Minister Meloni spoke out: the EU is being pushed to the margins by China and the US, stop being a foolish EU that runs a marathon in a suit. Meloni pointed out that the EU's GDP now accounts for only 17% of the global total, down 9 percentage points from 2000, and high-tech exports account for only 12%, while China and the US combined reach 55%.
Meloni's warning hits the EU's pain points directly. She said that the EU is increasingly marginalized in the competition between China and the US, and it needs less bureaucracy and more practical actions. The EU's share of global GDP has dropped from 26% in 2000 to 17% now, a decline of 9 percentage points. These figures are not empty talk but reflect the loss of competitiveness. High-tech exports account for only 12%, while the US and China combined have 55%, creating such a gap that the EU is struggling to breathe. She criticized EU officials who keep arguing endlessly in meetings, debating the challenges posed by China and the US in various languages, yet ignoring how Chinese electric vehicles are rapidly taking over the European market, and how American chip companies are luring Dutch engineers away. The EU used to be a major trading power, but now it even lags behind Japan and South Korea in technological innovation. German car manufacturers assemble Chinese batteries, French nuclear power uses American software, and Dutch lithography machines rely on Asian supply chains, making the EU more like a high-end assembler than a leader. After the Ukraine conflict, EU gas prices soared, and it completely relied on US supplies, otherwise it couldn't make it through the winter. Spanish leaders openly stated that this was not an ally, but rather commercial exploitation. Trump's policies interrupted the EU's growth, with many countries experiencing economic stagnation or negative growth; without new growth, it equals regression. The EU is internally divided
worse, as countries compete for shares in the chip alliance, unwilling to work together to break through technology, like a group of chefs cooking soup carelessly, allowing China and the US to reap the benefits. Military reliance on the US, when blocking China, German companies still increase investments in China, which splits the EU's position. Too many regulations burden businesses, large companies move to China, and small businesses face high compliance costs. For example, Italian food exports need to fill out a pile of forms, while Chinese e-commerce delivers within days. Environmental regulations were originally well-intentioned, but audits say they stifle innovation. Labor force decreases by millions every year, and the retired population increases. German workers support half a retiree, and Italy's pension system may face problems by 2030. Graffiti on the streets of Milan asks, will the future rely on robots or immigrants? This warning reminds us that EU unity cannot be a collective decline, it should learn from China's infrastructure and emulate the US in liberalizing the market.
After the incident, discussions began within the EU to adjust strategies, with some countries admitting they need to face the competition between China and the US. Meloni pushed Italy to negotiate trade with the US, and in July 2025, the EU and the US reached a tariff agreement. She said this avoided a disastrous outcome. The agreement set a 15% tariff cap, which she considers sustainable and stable for exports. The EU launched infrastructure investment, drawing on the Chinese model to upgrade transportation, while simultaneously relaxing market regulation and emulating the US to encourage enterprises.
Under the trade agreement, the EU buys US energy and invests in US infrastructure. She participated in a meeting in Washington to exchange draft documents. Italy strengthened military procurement, and she approved orders. Internal reforms are being advanced, and she supports budget cuts and tax reductions. The EU's digital sovereignty initiatives adjusted regulations to ease the burden on enterprises. Immigration policy changes, and she shared experiences with Spanish leaders. By year-end, Italy's economic growth slightly increased, and she confirmed the data progress. She insisted that the EU concentrate its efforts, meeting with representatives from China and the US. The pension crisis intensified, and she promoted reform bills. Energy dependence continues, and she signed natural gas contracts. Under her leadership, Italy maintained competitiveness, but challenges for the EU remain.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842225071510536/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.