Key facts
- Ursula von der Leyen proposed Canada become the EU's first "associate member."
- A European Security Council and an "Emergency Security Protocol" were proposed.
- The EU plans to use remaining SAFE defense-loan program funds for joint projects with Ukrainian defense companies.
- Climate policy focus shifted to adaptation with plans for a Heatwave Plan, Water Initiative, and Climate Insurance Alliance.
- Von der Leyen called for a pact to stop "gold-plating" of EU legislation by member states.
- The EU acknowledged division on measures against Israeli settlers, with von der Leyen calling it "painful."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the Union address on September 16, 2026, outlining proposals to bolster Europe's preparedness for various global threats. A significant proposal included opening the door for Canada to become the EU's first "associate member," a move framed as a new alliance spanning technology, defense, energy, critical minerals, AI, and the Arctic. Von der Leyen emphasized this alliance is for "common strength" and not against any other nation, potentially signaling a shift in transatlantic relations.
The speech also addressed the need for enhanced European security, with von der Leyen calling for the creation of a European Security Council. This council would convene the EU and like-minded countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Ukraine, and Norway, to manage threats. It would be complemented by an "Emergency Security Protocol" to respond to non-attack threats, acting as a flank to NATO's Article 4.
In the realm of artificial intelligence, von der Leyen invited major AI labs to Brussels for discussions on managing AI's risks and possibilities, calling for cooperation with the UK and Canada but notably excluding the U.S. and China. Regarding defense, she announced that leftover funds from the EU's €150 billion SAFE defense-loan program would be redirected to joint projects with Ukrainian defense companies, integrating Ukraine's battlefield expertise into Europe's defense industry.
Climate policy was framed around survival and adaptation, with plans for a European Heatwave Plan, a European Water Initiative, and a Climate Insurance Alliance, following Europe's hottest summer on record. Von der Leyen also pushed for a "pact against gold-plating" to streamline EU legislation implementation by member states and acknowledged the EU's internal divisions on measures against Israeli settlers, describing the inability to agree on sanctions as "painful."
Financial policy was largely absent, with the main announcement being a Banking Package focused on simplification. However, von der Leyen pressed for new EU-wide taxes to finance the bloc’s next seven-year budget, proposing new levies to generate over €60 billion. China received an ominous mention regarding the EU's trade deficit and "dangerous dependencies" on critical raw materials, though no dramatic trade measures were announced.
On migration, a European Emergency Response Framework was proposed to expedite the return of migrants. Von der Leyen also targeted social media, proposing age restrictions for minors, including no social media for those under 13 and no personal accounts for those under 15.