Core Viewpoint - The European Union (EU) is increasingly anxious about its weak links in the supply chain and is establishing a database to identify "trade bottlenecks" to effectively counter economic coercion amid geopolitical tensions, particularly with the US and China [1][2][9]. Group 1: Trade Bottlenecks and Economic Security - The EU plans to create a database to identify trade bottlenecks and match this data with tools from its "trade weaponry" as a deterrent [2]. - The EU is shifting from passive defense to proactive measures, aiming to address weak links and leverage its strengths as strategic assets [2][9]. - The EU's economic security strategy is being developed in response to pressures from US trade tariffs, China's dominance in key materials, and the potential escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict [2][3]. Group 2: Dependence on the US and China - The EU's reliance on the US is particularly pronounced in defense, digital, and energy sectors, with a significant portion of LNG imports coming from the US [5][7]. - The EU's dependence on China is highlighted in critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, where supply chain disruptions pose risks to industries like automotive [3][5]. - The EU's "digital sovereignty" is a critical weakness, as key technologies originate from US companies, limiting the EU's control over its data and technological infrastructure [5][9]. Group 3: Response Mechanisms and Strategic Initiatives - The EU's trade countermeasures include a "trade coercion tool" designed to respond to economic threats and unfair trade practices from third countries [8]. - The EU is discussing the activation of this tool against certain trade partners, which includes a range of potential retaliatory measures [8][11]. - The EU aims to enhance its autonomy in critical supply chains, particularly in areas like rare earth materials, where it currently relies on imports for approximately 98% of its needs [9][10]. Group 4: Internal Challenges and Diverging Interests - The EU faces internal challenges in unifying its stance on economic sovereignty, particularly regarding its dependence on US technology [11]. - Diverging views among member states, such as France's focus on supporting local enterprises versus Germany's emphasis on maintaining open trade relations, complicate the EU's strategic initiatives [11]. - The effectiveness of the EU's trade weaponry is contingent on the credibility of its policies, which remains a core issue [10].