Europe’s open strategic autonomy: Striking a balance between geopolitical, socioeconomic and environmental dimensions

Abstract

Policy recommendations • Policymakers should adopt an extended conception of Europe’s open strategic autonomy, including socioeconomic and environmental aspects. As policies trickle down to citizens and workers, public acceptance of related initiatives that also take into account social circumstances and environmental realities right from the beginning, rather than at the end, would facilitate the success of Europe’s open strategic autonomy. • Social partners and particularly trade unions should be part of the discussion as policies are designed towards achieving Europe’s open strategic autonomy with implications for the workforce and investment in strategic sectors during twin transitions. • A transformative mindset is needed to strike a balance between societal needs and disruptions caused by digital and green transitions in a way that ensures that initiatives result in a win–win situation for citizens and environment, reducing vulnerabilities and external dependencies by keeping global trade and partnerships within the open strategic autonomy framework.