New Year’s resolutions can often feel like lofty dreams. In that peculiar phase after Christmas, many find themselves in a mental limbo, enthusiastically drafting their ambitions for the year ahead. However, as February rolls around, many of those resolutions fade into the background, easily overshadowed by distractions and hesitations about change. While aspirations like “eat better,” “read more,” and “scroll less” seem attainable, the vast landscape of modern life often complicates our journey to achieve them.
As a new year dawns, Europe grapples with significant challenges: looming French presidential elections, increasing aggressive economic strategies from China, and ongoing geopolitical tensions ranging from Ukraine to Greenland. These situations present a narrow window of opportunity for Europe to enact vital changes before the political and economic costs of inaction become permanent.
Now is the time for Europeans to explore actionable resolutions for 2026. These aren’t just nice-to-haves but are essential for survival and prosperity in a rapidly changing world.
Three Resolutions for 2026
This is where the European Council on Foreign Relations’ new DARE* initiative comes into play. It proposes three high-priority, actionable resolutions aimed at positioning Europe more effectively for the coming years. The DARE* framework functions as a combination of a smartwatch, a personal coach, and a team of public challengers, holding Europeans accountable for their goals.
1. Reframe De-risking as Re-engagement
The most pressing threat to Europe’s economy originates from its relationship with China. As of 2025, China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements critical to various industries, including clean technology and defense, revealed its potential to manipulate European economic stability.
Chinese overcapacity presents a dual challenge to European industry, not only at home but also in the global market. As China intensifies its monopolistic ambitions, European sectors, particularly in manufacturing, face unprecedented threats, leading to job losses and diminished innovation. In just 18 months, for example, Germany’s auto industry alone has lost over 50,000 jobs.
Both de-risking from and diversifying away from this dependency on China should be European priorities. Yet, from a New Year’s resolution perspective, European leaders and the European Commission should not merely view de-risking as a necessity but as an opportunity for global trade expansion. This pro-cooperation approach should resonate with free traders across Europe, emphasizing that setting firm boundaries against monopolistic practices can coexist with overall market engagement.
End-of-Year Expectation
Europe has already made its intentions known through initiatives like the Critical Raw Materials Act and an evolving EU economic security doctrine. Free trade agreements are also on the agenda. By 2026, member states need to collectively commit to following through on these pledges. The narrative around de-risking must pivot to one of re-engagement, encouraging European leaders to focus on securing a Free Trade Agreement with India early in the year. This would foster alternatives to Chinese supply chains while reinvigorating European industrial confidence.
2. Unleash the Single Market
The second resolution taps into Europe’s inherent strengths. The single market stands as a pivotal asset that, if fully leveraged, could transform global trade while ushering in a new phase of prosperity for Europeans. Though this concept isn’t novel — much like classic resolutions such as exercising more or quitting smoking — the potential for impact remains high.
By eliminating barriers in sectors like energy, telecommunications, and capital markets, Europe could accelerate demand and innovation. This heightened demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy solutions, and various biosolutions can divert supply chains away from a single, often China-centric, source. It also serves as a counterbalance to an increasingly fragmented global economic landscape.
Coordinated public procurement, predictable regulatory environments, and investments in industrial value chains are essential to make European demand a geopolitical asset, enhancing both climate goals and economic stability. However, achieving this vision necessitates tangible steps to dismantle existing internal barriers.
End-of-Year Expectation
Throughout 2026, EU leaders should focus on the completion of a truly integrated energy market. Efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness are core to European competitiveness. A recent report highlighted the single energy market as “Europe’s best asset to ensure its success.” While strides have been made since the 2025 European Grids Package, the current landscape remains fragmented. To facilitate seamless cross-border trading in energy, Europe could establish a unified executive entity to streamline clean energy funding programs, potentially serving as a model for other areas of policy.
3. Focus on Electrification
The third resolution builds on the previous two, aiming for interlinked benefits. Europe’s status as a net importer of fossil fuels calls for a shift toward electrification, enhancing resilience and independence while forging stronger trade ties with emerging energy hubs, such as regions in North Africa and the Middle East.
Current initiatives, like European Energy Highways, aim to tackle key cross-border bottlenecks. These efforts have the potential to act as a flagship for new transmission lines, energy storage, and innovative industrial clusters. Political backing and expedited permitting are essential for prompt project realization in the energy sector.
End-of-Year Expectation
The forthcoming EU Electrification Action Plan could serve as a catalyst for revitalizing the energy landscape. Member states are encouraged to harness the momentum from the plan to advocate for actionable policies aimed at reducing electricity costs for both households and industries. Additionally, a dedicated working group should be established, guided by the DARE* taskforce, to analyze lessons learned from prior challenges, such as the blackout affecting Spain and Portugal in April 2025. This focus will ensure that European grid infrastructures are fully prepared for an energy transition incorporating wind, solar, and electrified transportation.
For Those Who DARE to Act
As 2026 approaches, the shifting geopolitical landscape along with external pressures present a rare opportunity for Europe to galvanize political will. This opportunity, however, may close swiftly amid traditional election cycles that could favor nationalist agendas.
Europe’s tendency toward fatalism when confronting challenges from global powers like China and Russia, or various domestic issues, often clouds its vision. Yet rather than yielding to despair, Europeans should use these critical early weeks of the new year to concentrate on possibilities that are both realistic and grounded. Focusing on actionable priorities can foster a more resilient future.
About the Authors:
Nina Schmelzer is a research assistant for the DARE* initiative at the European Council on Foreign Relations, based in Berlin.
Janka Oertel is a distinguished policy fellow with the European Power programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations.