Ursula von der Leyen: 'We Are On The Cusp Of A Historic Trade Agreement' With India | Business Today

At WEF 2026, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, outlines Europe’s push toward a new era of strategic independence built on global partnerships. She highlights the breakthrough EU–Mercosur trade agreement, creating the world’s largest free trade zone, and underscores Europe’s preference for fair trade, diversification, and resilient supply chains over tariffs and isolation. Von der Leyen points to expanding trade ties with Latin America, the Indo-Pacific, and ongoing negotiations with India, calling a potential EU–India deal historic. Emphasising Europe’s strengths in skills, savings, innovation, and AI-driven industrial capacity, she urges collective action to mobilise these assets and secure long-term global competitiveness. 

COURTESY: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM