Today, H/Advisors hosted the inaugural session of Breakfast with a View, a new series bringing together political leaders, senior executives and policy thinkers for focused discussions on the forces shaping Europe’s political landscape.

We were honoured to welcome Valérie Hayer, Chair of the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament, for a conversation on “Europe 2026: Navigating a New Political Landscape – What Outlook for the EU’s Trade Relationships?”

The session allowed for open and substantive exchanges between Ms. Hayer and participants. Alongside discussions on Mercosur and trade relations with the United States, China and India, the conversation explored broader structural challenges including the balance between regulatory simplification and practical workability, the effectiveness of trade‑defence instruments, internal market fragmentation, and issues related to savings, investment and the proposed “28th regime”.

Participants broadly emphasised the need for genuine simplification of EU rules through upcoming omnibus packages, stressing that simplification must translate into clarity for businesses rather than increased uncertainty. European competitiveness was another core theme, with renewed calls for the implementation of the Draghi recommendations. Ms. Hayer underscored that “trade is key” and encouraged attendees to share concrete industry needs to help inform future policy work.

Elected MEP in 2019, Valérie Hayer joined the Committee on Budgets, negotiated the 2021-2027 multi annual financial framework and the post-Covid recovery plan, co-chaired the Renaissance delegation in 2021 before becoming Chair of the Renew Europe Group in January 2024, for which she was re-elected after the European elections.

As President of the Renew Europe Group, she has taken a clear and assertive position on the EU’s recent trade challenges. In response to U.S. customs duties imposed on EU products in 2025–2026, she has advocated for the EU to consider stronger economic instruments, noting in January 2026 that “the appeasement strategy is over… We could decide on new customs duties.”

During the same period, she supported the decision to pause ratification of the EU‑US trade agreement amid the prospect of additional U.S. surcharges. She had previously raised concerns about the 2025 EU‑US bilateral agreement, which increased tariffs to 15%, describing the measures as asymmetric and calling for enhanced protections for European companies.

She has also endorsed activating the EU’s anti‑coercion mechanism in response to escalating tensions and has expressed readiness for the EU to use the lifting or reintroduction of duties as a strategic tool. She has framed this approach as part of a broader “commercial arsenal” aimed at ensuring Europe can defend its economic interests effectively.

We thank Valérie Hayer and all participants for contributing to a rich and forward‑looking discussion. We look forward to continuing the Breakfast with a View series as a platform for clear thinking, strategic debate and meaningful European dialogue.