The Growth-Oriented Economic Policy of the EU

Book excerpt: Growth is slow in the EU, but growth potentialities remain high, in spite of the exit of the UK and in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we can observe a disparity between reality and potentialities. Does the persistent difference between expected and real benefits mean that the EU integration model is not working? No. It continues to be effective, because it is rule-based. However, these rules are not enough to grasp all the potentialities of integration. We need a better-integrated single European market and a more open trade policy, in the framework of health, security, safety, energy, environment and labour standards, establishing the rules of the competition, but leaving the economic agents free to act. The book explores Brexit, capital markets, energy, health and bilateral trade policies with the main European partners, in the light of their effects and contribution to European growth. It emerges that this huge trade block is vital but must find the political capacity to move towards a closer integration, to close the gap between reality and potentiality. The text will appeal to a public interested in the economic problems of the EU, and will be of interest to policy makers and all those who are involved in the process, from proposals to decisions, of making a more integrated Europe.