Overview
- An independent tracker reported that about 11% of Draghi’s 383 competitiveness recommendations are fully implemented and roughly 20% are partially in place.
- Draghi cited an AI capability gap, noting the United States produced 40 large foundation models last year, China 15 and the EU just three.
- He warned that high energy costs are curbing technology adoption, with European natural gas prices near four times U.S. levels and AI electricity demand projected to rise 70% by 2030.
- He said Europe is now squeezed by U.S. tariffs and a widening trade imbalance with China, with the deficit up around 20% since December 2024.
- The European Commission pointed to steps on competitiveness and confirmed €150 billion in defense loans to 19 member states, as Ursula von der Leyen urged faster delivery.