EFSTATHIOS KASSIOS

Supply chain resilience is a territorial imperative today. In a world defined by geopolitical risk, war in Ukraine, and escalating trade protectionism, Europe’s regions face immense pressure to adapt. The European Commission very recently presented for adoption the final EU-Mercosur and EU-Mexico agreements – ESPON

Efstathios Kassios, Economist and member of the ESPON editors’ team, highlights that resilience must be built from the ground up, based on the findings of the ESPON STARTER project.

My article explores:

-The urgency of FTAs, particularly Mercosur: Strategic trade deals are essential for diversifying supply chains for critical raw materials (like lithium and nickel) and enhancing Europe’s competitiveness among global trade players.

-The regional disparity: Trade disruptions affect regions unevenly. While Southern and Eastern European regions are projected to benefit most from FTAs, those with limited diversification remain exposed to shocks.

-The strategic need for internal capacity: To truly achieve Open Strategic Autonomy (OSA), regions must focus targeted investment on promoting the circular economy, supporting SME internationalisation, and investing in workforce upskilling and reallocation.

Europe‘s future prosperity will depend on its ability to empower regions with evidence-based strategies to adapt to this shifting global landscape.

Read the full article: https://www.espon.eu/news/resilient-supply-chains-future-what-europes-regions-need-today

-Efstathios Kassios