Fifty actions in the first 100 days of the new European Commission taking office on 1 November are "expected" by BusinessEurope, the Brussels-based confederation of businesses of 40 EU and non-EU nations, including MCCEI
In a list appended to a letter of congratulations to the former German defence minister, Ursula van der Leyen as the next European Commission president, the lobby's chief executives urged the actions grouped under a 10-part strategy stating their "readiness to discuss them with you at your earliest convenience".
First, the defence of rules-based trade, a fight against protectionism and creation of a level playing field with a special focus on pending trade issues with the USA and China, as well as agreements with Canada, Vietnam and Mercosur awaiting ratification.
Second, further strengthening development of cross-border trade and investment within a barrier-free Single Market as the basis of European prosperity.
Third, continued working on better regulation, giving more attention to the impact of new EU legislations on our competitiveness and attractiveness as a place to invest.
Fourth, support and facilitation of research, development and innovation throughout the EU and the European Economic Area to regain our world leadership in technology and to bring innovative products and services to the market, taking into account increasing pressure from China and the US.
Fifth, put in place a more strategic industrial policy to allow European industrial and services value chains to compete with global economic powers such as the US or China and increase growth and employment in Europe.
Sixth, accelerate the cybersecure digitalisation of the European economy with freedom to innovate, upholding societal interests and ensuring that education and skills are fit for the digital age. Complete the Economic and Monetary Union, strengthen trust in the Euro and provide a stable environment to investors.
Seventh, work towards the objective of climate neutrality (net-zero greenhouse gas emissions), while ensuring our competitiveness and security of energy supply, reaching climate neutrality by around mid-century.
Eighth, foster gradual economic and social convergence among member states driven by productivity gains and competitiveness and facilitate labour mobility in the Single Market.
Ninth, build a coordinated European approach to better manage migration.
Tenth, continue to strive to avoid a no-deal Brexit and the adoption of a withdrawal agreement in the UK, while mitigating as much as possible the disruptive effect of a possible no-deal Brexit for European companies.
In her speech to the Parliament preceding her election, van der Leyen stated that "our most pressing challenge is keeping our planet healthy. I want Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050. To make this happen, I will put forward a Green Deal for Europe in my first 100 days in office (and) the first ever European Climate Law which will set the 2050 target into law. This increase of ambition will need investment on a major scale. Public money will not be enough. I will propose a Sustainable Europe Investment Plan and turn parts of the European Investment Bank into a Climate Bank. This will unlock €1 trillion of investment over the next decade".
"The EU will lead international negotiations to increase the level of ambition of other major economies by 2021. All of us and every sector will have to contribute, from aviation to maritime transport to the way each and every one of us travels and lives. Emissions must have a price that changes our behaviour. To complement this work, and to ensure our companies can compete on a level-playing field, I will introduce a Carbon Border Tax to avoid carbon leakage. I will propose a Just Transition Fund to support those most affected."
Other key commitments by the President-elect included improvements to the Stability and Growth pact, completion of the Capital Markets Union, aligning the European Semester to EU's Sustainable Development Goals, fair taxes to end the multinational tech giants' avoidance, greater support to SMEs and youth employment and a European Unemployment Benefit Reinsurance Scheme.