Media

Istituto Bruno Leoni's Carlo Littieri criticized contradictions in current policy, where leaders seek peace while imposing trade barriers. He argued that free trade and peace are interconnected, warning against creating "absolute enemies" through protectionist policies.

Bruno Leoni Institute's Carlo Stagnaro advocated against tariff retaliation, urging the EU to pursue alternative markets instead. He emphasized that Mercosur offers a ready-made solution and called bilateral agreements between individual European states and Washington unthinkable.

Ludwig Erhard Stiftung's Stefan Kolev warned that SPD and CDU/CSU debt plans are primarily driven by clientelism. He explained the implications of Germany's new debt policy for Europe in the podcast discussion.

Molinari Institute's Cecile Philippe explained that Trump's tariffs create concentrated winners but dispersed losers, making protectionism politically attractive despite economic harm. She argued Europe should focus on domestic reforms and complete free trade agreements to counter American protectionism.

IBL's Carlo Stagnaro argued that Trump's tariffs harm both America and Europe, forcing Italian right-wing parties into an impossible position. He emphasized that protectionism damages consumers and producers, calling for Italy to distance itself from Trump's trade policies.

The Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty, in collaboration with EPICENTER and other European think tanks, released Europe at the Digital Crossroads. The report highlights regulatory and investment barriers hindering the EU’s digital competitiveness, including high compliance costs, limited funding for startups, and reliance on external providers. It proposes reforms to streamline regulation, improve funding, and foster innovation through public-private partnerships.

Brussels Report published an article by CEPOS economists citing EPICENTER’s recent report on EU climate policy. The piece argued that postponing and narrowing the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive is insufficient, as excessive reporting burdens harm competitiveness. It noted that the EU Emissions Trading System is the most effective climate tool, and that overlapping regulations risk increasing costs without reducing total emissions.

The Molinari Economic Institute (IEM) appeared in Le Point discussing its upcoming study on French nuclear power. The research finds that nuclear generation has avoided the equivalent of 28 years of France’s 2023 CO₂ emissions since 1978, with the lowest carbon footprint among major energy sources. It calls for reactor life extensions, new construction, and innovative financing to revitalise the sector.

In 'Le Parisien', an article featured research by Institute économique Molinari, EPICENTER's French member think tank, from our report 'Reviving Europe's Competitive Edge' on the necessity for European governments to switch to a marketised system of pension funding.