Katherina Reiche, Germany's Minister of Economic Affairs, articulated the need for Europe to respond to global competitive challenges not through isolation, but by promoting a 'Made in Europe' strategy. This approach seeks to leverage national advantages while fostering collaboration with reliable global partners. However, her assertion that this reflects the sentiment of Germans remains unsupported by any public opinion or business research, raising questions about its validity as an official government stance.

The article references a recent trend in which Berlin appears to align more closely with Paris, particularly in the context of a political alliance between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron. This alliance manifests in shared priorities, notably with Merz endorsing Macron's call to prioritize European digital companies in November 2025, signaling a shift towards a more unified European economic strategy.

Additionally, the EU's proposal for Ukraine regarding access to critical resources highlights a proactive stance against external pressures, as underscored by calls from the EU Commissioner for Industry and a coalition of business leaders. This indicates that the EU is not only focused on internal harmonization but also on adapting its policies to bolster economic resilience against global protectionist trends.