European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the G7 Summit in Évian on 15 June 2026, highlighted the EU's record trade deficit with China and called for coordinated G7 action to address global economic imbalances, while also addressing crises in Ukraine, the Middle East, and AI governance.
Von der Leyen noted that 2025 was the first year all EU member states had a trade deficit with China, with the EU recording its largest ever deficit of EUR 360 billion. She reiterated the EU's strategy of de-risking rather than decoupling, emphasising the need to build domestic capacity, expand free trade agreements to diversify supply chains, and protect the EU market from unfair practices using tools such as safeguards and anti-subsidy measures. She called for G7 unity on critical raw materials and announced work on a critical raw material agreement.
On the Middle East, von der Leyen welcomed the US-Iran agreement and stressed the need for implementation, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring freedom of navigation. She called for a ceasefire in Lebanon and full respect for its sovereignty, and discussed reducing energy dependence on Strait transit routes, citing alternative export routes and the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC).
Regarding Ukraine, von der Leyen confirmed that the EU's EUR 90 billion loan package covers two-thirds of Ukraine's financing needs for 2026 and 2027, with first disbursements due this month. She called on other partners to cover the remaining third and announced EUR 75 million in grant funding for the New Safe Confinement. She noted Ukraine's progress in holding the frontline, developing strike capabilities, and becoming a leading producer of military equipment, while Russia's war economy is under strain from sanctions. She also highlighted the opening of the first cluster of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine.
On AI, von der Leyen advocated for pre-market testing of frontier models, drawing parallels with safety testing for airplanes and medical devices, and called for G7 cooperation on independent evaluation. She stressed the importance of AI adoption, particularly in industrial and manufacturing sectors, and referenced the EU's Tech Sovereignty package to drive AI innovation in partnership with trusted allies.
Finally, von der Leyen thanked French President Macron for raising the issue of protecting children online. She argued for social media age delays and emphasised that platforms must prove safety by design, especially for children and teenagers.
the EUR 90 billion loan package for Ukraine, the EUR 75 million grant for the New Safe Confinement, and the critical raw material agreement. Other elements, such as calls for G7 cooperation on AI testing and social media regulation, remained declarative with no specific legislative or financial commitments. The overall policy orientation shifts EU foreign economic policy towards more assertive de-risking and diversification, while maintaining a conciliatory approach to global cooperation within the G7 framework.