Ursula von der Leyen has defended her track record as European Commission chief, saying she had promoted - and would continue to stand for - a fair transition to green energy, a strong geopolitical union and fair competition with the world.
In her annual state of the union speech, during which she announced that the European Commission was launching an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, Ms von der Leyen billed herself as a champion of European business.
Ms von der Leyen, who is widely expected to seek a second term at the head of the EU executive next year, stressed throughout her speech that Europe was, with her at the helm of the executive Commission, "responding to the call of history".
Ukraine has made "great strides" to join the European Union since being granted candidate status in 2022, but full accession is a merit-based process and hard work lies ahead, she said.
The 27-nation bloc is to debate whether to grant Kyiv a formal start of EU membership negotiations.
The start of such talks would be a geo-political bargain as Ukraine fights against a Russian invasion.
"We know this is not an easy road," Ms von der Leyen said.
"Accession is merit-based ... It takes hard work and leadership. But there is already a lot of progress. We have seen the great strides Ukraine has already made since."
Saying she would defend European business against any unfair competition, she said: "Europe will do whatever it takes to keep its competitive edge.
"So I can announce today that the Commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China. Europe is open to competition. Not for a race to the bottom."
Ms von der Leyen also said she would appoint an envoy to help small and medium-sized enterprises handle red tape to make it easier to do business.
In her last state of the union speech before European Parliament elections next June, Ms Von der Leyen said she and her team had delivered over 90% of the proposals presented when she became Commission chief in 2019.
"When I stood in front of you in 2019 with my programme for a green, digital and geopolitical Europe, I know that some had doubts," she said.
"But look at where Europe is today. We have seen the birth of a geopolitical union - supporting Ukraine, standing up to Russia's aggression, responding to an assertive China and investing in partnerships.
"We now have a European Green Deal as the centrepiece of our economy and unmatched in ambition."
Ms von der Leyen also said the European Commission would put forward a package of measures to support Europe's wind industry as renewable energy companies struggle with challenges, including inflation.
The former German defence minister, who was a last-minute compromise candidate in 2019, took office in the midst of feverish Brexit negotiations and right before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 defined her first year in office, as Europe was savaged by the virus and then rocked by the struggle to roll out a vaccine programme. Then Russia invaded Ukraine, and the sense of crisis seemed to continue.
Yet, under her stewardship the EU has taken on deeper and wider competences in order to deal with the crises, and she has largely brought member states with her.
'Europe open for competition'
Ms von der Leyen said fairness in the global economy is important because it affects lives and livelihoods, while entire industries and communities depend on it.
She highlighted the electric vehicles sector, which is crucial for the clean economy and with huge potential for Europe.
However, global markets are now flooded with cheaper Chinese electric cars, with state subsidies keeping prices artificially low.
Ms von der Leyen announced today that the commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China.
"Europe is open for competition. Not for a race to the bottom", she said.
Responding to the remarks and concerns that this might cause a potential trade war between the EU and China, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said the announcement was necessary.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Ms Metsola said: "We are talking about the importation of electric vehicles that are produced with the dirtiest of fuels.
"If we want to be the most climate ambitious continent on this planet, we not only have to make sure that we address those concerns, especially after what we saw this this summer, as well as what the President said, the planet is boiling.
"And secondly, we also have to provide that safety net without a race to the bottom, but safety nets for our small businesses, our industries, in allowing them to innovate and thrive with no anti-dumping policies we would not manage.
"So, I think it is about what was said, de-risking not decoupling, and that also comes hand in hand with everything we do with those countries. We signed free trade agreements with those countries on who we rely on for critical raw materials or imports."
The EU Parliament President added that it would fight against all trade wars and also fight for what it considers its strategic autonomy.
Additional reporting Tony Connelly, Gail Conway
