The German Chamber of Commerce and the CEOE (Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organizations) point to the Madrid-Berlin axis as the engine of European industry.

 

La German Chamber of Commerce for Spain and Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) They have highlighted Spanish-German cooperation as a key lever for competitiveness and economic security. EuropaDuring a business breakfast held in MadridThe president of the CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, and its counterpart in the Cámara Alemana, Osmar PoloThey analyzed the challenges in industry, digitalization and defense that the continent faces.

 

The meeting, moderated by the managing director of the Cámara Alemana, Mischa GrohThis consolidates the close institutional relationship between both organizations. In their dialogue with Osmar Polo, President of the Cámara de Comercio Alemana para España, Antonio Garamendi It was emphatic: “We need more Europe and we need more businesses. Because no economy can be competitive if its businesses are not.”Based on this premise, he outlined the three main pillars that should shape the European economic agenda to reduce the gap with competitors such as EE.UU. y Asia.

 

Reindustrialization and energy: the urgent need for better regulation

 

In the first part of the debate, dedicated to industry and competitiveness, Garamendi warned that Europa is “missing the train of competitiveness”One of the main obstacles, he pointed out, is excessive bureaucracy, with more than 40.000 active standards which hinder business management. “We must seriously address regulatory simplification under the premise that it is not about regulating less, but about regulating better,” he argued.

 

He also directly linked reindustrialization to the availability of affordable energy, criticizing decisions such as the closure of nuclear power plants, which, in his view, increase dependence on foreign gas. The president of the CEOE He recalled that the objective of the industrial sector representing the 20% of GDP It requires “technological neutrality” without ideological bias and a stable energy framework.

 

Digitalization and AI: a "geometric" revolution with a talent gap

 

The second focus of analysis was digital transformation, where Artificial Intelligence is presented as a “geometric” revolution in which Europa It starts late. Antonio Garamendi He presented worrying data on the adoption of this technology in España, which demonstrate a significant gap between large corporations and the fabric of SMEs.

 

To address this challenge, he proposed a three-pronged approach:

 

• Enhance the dual vocational training to align capabilities with market needs.
• Attracting more women to the STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
• Establish systems of continuous training for professional retraining (reskilling) of the workers.

 

Type of Company in Spain	AI Adoption Rate
Big enterprises	45 %
Medium businesses	20 %
Small companies	11 %

 

Defense and economic security: towards European champions

 

In matters of defense and geopolitics, Garamendi He stated that the European security industry is still underdeveloped and that further development will be needed. “at least 30 years to consolidate its own independent structure”The solution, according to the president of the employers' association, lies in greater unity at the community level and the promotion of “great European champions”, citing the model of Airbus.

 

This approach would allow for global competition and reduce strategic dependence on powers such as Estados Unidos o China in critical components such as engines or microchips. “Strengthening our own security and defense industry is the only way to protect our interests and ensure that Europa "It will continue to be a stable place to live, work, and invest," he concluded.

 

A consolidated institutional alliance on the Madrid-Berlin axis

 

This business breakfast reinforces the close collaboration between the Cámara Alemana and CEOE, which already had its maximum expression in the XI Spanish-German Business Forum November 2025. That meeting, co-chaired by HM the King Felipe VI and the German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, was organized jointly by the CEOE, its German counterpart BDI and the own Cámara Alemana.

 

The common roadmap emanating from that forum, signed in an opinion piece in the newspaper Expansión by José Alberto González-Ruiz (CEOE), Tanja Gönner (BDI) and Osmar Polo (Cámara Alemana), remains fully in force: España y Alemania must act as “complementary drivers of European competitiveness and resilience”.

 

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about Spanish-German competitiveness

 

How does European bureaucracy affect the competitiveness of my exporting company?

According to the analysis of the CEOEExcessive regulation (more than 40.000 active regulations) increases administrative and compliance costs, slows innovation, and reduces the agility of Spanish companies to compete in global markets. Regulatory simplification would allow more resources to be allocated to international expansion and productivity improvements.

 

What opportunities and challenges does AI present for Spanish SMEs in international trade?

AI offers opportunities to optimize logistics, personalize external marketing strategies, and analyze new markets. However, the main challenge for Spanish SMEs is the low adoption rate (only 11% in small businesses). Overcoming the talent gap through training and attracting STEM professionals is crucial to avoid falling behind.

 

Why is the creation of a European defense industry relevant to my business?

A strong European defense industry, or the creation of "European champions," impacts more than just the military sector. At the business level, it fosters technological sovereignty, reduces dependence on non-EU suppliers for critical components (microchips, engines), and generates an ecosystem of innovation and geopolitical stability that protects supply chains and ensures a more predictable investment environment for companies operating globally.