Von der Leyen vows protective Europe amid far-right rise, cites climate, AI, defense, China

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a State of the Union-style address on September 16, 2026, pledging a 'protective Europe' in response to the rise of far-right parties. She emphasized collective action on climate change, AI risks, defense, and Chinese exports. The speech signals a policy shift toward more interventionist and protectionist stances, potentially impacting EU regulatory and trade agendas.