Brussels, Feb. 5 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday spoke about the growing use of economic coercion -- such as sanctions, export controls, and tariffs and reaffirmed Europe's commitment to safeguarding its economic security.

While delivering a speech at the EU Ambassadors Conference 2025, von der Leyen said, "We know that there will be an increased use of threats and of economic coercion tools such as sanctions, export controls, and tariffs. We have seen this again in the last few days and how quickly things can escalate. I want to be clear: Europe will safeguard its economic and national security."

She added, "But it is also important that we strike the right balance. One that places emphasis on the posit...