Pascal Lamy, former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, appeared on BFM TV on February 12, 2026, to discuss the state of European industry, in a segment titled “L’Europe au chevet de son industrie.” The interview, part of “Le 18/19” with Hedwige Chevrillon, focused on challenges facing European manufacturers and the need for strategic intervention.
Lamy currently serves as the Vice-President of the Paris Peace Forum and coordinates the Jacques Delors Institutes in Paris, Berlin, and Brussels, according to information from the Institut Jacques Delors and the Brunswick Group. His involvement with the Jacques Delors Institutes underscores a continuing focus on European integration and policy, building on his earlier role as Chief of Staff to Jacques Delors himself, and as his G7 Sherpa from 1985 to 1994.
The BFM TV segment, lasting 12 minutes and 2 seconds, comes amid ongoing debate regarding European industrial policy and economic security. Recent publications from the Jacques Delors Institute, coordinated by Lamy, address trade and economic security, including a report released on July 31, 2025, and a policy paper from February 26, 2024, titled “Shields Up: How China, Europe, Japan and the United States Shape the World through Economic Security.” These publications suggest a growing concern within European policy circles regarding geopolitical competition and the need to protect strategic industries.
Lamy’s previous tenure as Director-General of the WTO, from 2005 to 2013, provides a unique perspective on global trade dynamics and their impact on European competitiveness. His experience navigating international trade negotiations informs his current analysis of the challenges facing European industry. He also holds positions with organizations focused on global issues, including the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and the European Climate Foundation, as noted by the Brunswick Group.
The Institut Jacques Delors recently hosted a conference strengthening the Single Market, featuring Stéphane Séjourné and Enrico Letta, as well as a report launch on a new European Automotive Strategy. These events indicate a continued effort to address specific industrial challenges and promote European economic integration. A tribute to Jacques Delors by Lamy himself, published on February 2, 2024, reflects on Delors’ legacy and its relevance to Europe’s future.
As of February 13, 2026, no further details regarding specific proposals discussed during the BFM TV interview have been publicly released beyond the initial broadcast announcement.
