The gloves are off in Brussels. A deep ideological rift has opened up among European Union leaders as they gather at a castle in Belgium to debate a radical "Buy European" strategy intended to save the continent’s waning economic power.

The summit, held in the shadow of rising competition from China and the US, has become a battleground between protectionists and free-traders. At stake is the future of the Single Market and Europe’s ability to remain a global industrial player.

Macron’s Protectionist Push

French President Emmanuel Macron is leading the charge for "European preference." He argues that in a world where the US and China are heavily subsidizing their industries, Europe’s naivety must end.

• The Proposal: Mandating that governments prioritize locally manufactured goods—specifically in strategic sectors like clean tech and defense—in public contracts.
• The Rationale: "We are facing unfair competitors who no longer respect the rules," Macron told reporters, framing the policy as a necessary defensive shield.

The Northern Resistance

However, a bloc of northern nations, including Sweden, the Netherlands, and the Baltics, is firing back. They warn that such measures will create a "regulatory nightmare" and drive away foreign investment. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed deep skepticism, fearing that a fortress Europe would ultimately be a poorer Europe.

As the leaders retreat behind the castle walls, the consensus is fragile. The "Buy European" debate strikes at the heart of the EU's identity: is it an open market champion or a geopolitical bloc ready to play dirty to survive? The answer will shape the global economy for the next decade.