French business leaders aired grievances at the Medef conference on August 26. Medef president Patrick Martin criticized the EU’s response to US tariffs and called China “even more threatening.” He expressed frustration over slow market reforms, saying: “The Europe we see is not the Europe we want.”
Martin warned against excessive environmental rules, arguing they will hurt European production if not matched globally. His remarks drew strong applause.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded the next day, outlining her priorities for Europe to “produce, invest and protect.” She pledged to cut regulations, saving businesses 17 billion euros annually, and noted the EU opened 30 trade defense investigations last year, three times the average.
She acknowledged Europe’s energy prices are double or triple those in the US and China, but refused to abandon climate goals, pointing to over 50 billion euros spent on fossil fuel imports since the Middle East crisis.
Not all leaders shared Martin’s criticism. Stellantis’ CEO has softened his stance while seeking EU protections and EV flexibility.
Martin welcomed a Polish leader at BusinessEurope, though the new chief holds more moderate views. He noted business now has a voice in Brussels, something unthinkable years ago.
Reference
Le Monde, “Face à des patrons français ‘amoureux déçus de l’Europe,’ Ursula von der Leyen défend une Union ‘qui produit, investit et protège,’” published August 27, 2026. https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2026/08/27/face-a-des-patrons-francais-amoureux-decus-de-l-europe-ursula-von-der-leyen-defend-une-union-qui-produit-investit-et-protege_6758490_3234.html