At the Tripartite Social Summit, BusinessEurope presented its latest Reform Barometer to EU leaders. The report examines Europe's global competitiveness based on key indicators such as public finances, business environment, and the labor market.
BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson expressed concerns from the European business community regarding the EU's investment climate. "Our latest Reform Barometer reveals serious concerns among the European business community about the EU’s investment climate. A striking 82% of respondents believe that the EU attractiveness for investment has either deteriorated or remained unchanged over the past 12 months. The biggest challenge that they identify is overregulation, followed by high energy prices and labour shortages."
Persson further noted that "an overwhelming 85% of our national member federations believe that the new U.S. Administration’s deregulation agenda will further divert investment away from Europe." He urged for urgent action to reduce regulatory burdens and enhance Europe's appeal as an investment destination.
Businesses across Member States are looking forward to a shift in policy direction by the European Commission concerning competitiveness and growth. They expect initial positive steps to be followed by swift actions to bring tangible improvements in their business environment. Persson emphasized, "Time is of the essence, and companies operating in Europe urgently need to see tangible improvements in their business environment."
BusinessEurope reiterated this message in a letter before the European Council Meeting.
The Reform Barometer 2025 also compares economic ties between the EU and U.S., highlighting recent U.S. policy actions potentially affecting Europe. It includes a detailed regional and industry-specific analysis of EU competitiveness.
Readers can access the full BusinessEurope Reform Barometer for more insights.