The shifting geopolitical landscape and intensifying international competition require France to structure an economic security policy that is both offensive and protective. Submitted to the Government last July, the parliamentary report dedicated to this issue lays the foundations for a renewed national doctrine.
As part of Club 31, a regular forum for dialogue between business leaders and public officials, NSI convened around fifty executives from strategic French companies to analyze these directions. Having contributed to the preparatory work, NSI and the ADIT Group invited the report’s three authors for a direct exchange:
Jean-Louis Thiériot, Member of Parliament for Seine-et-Marne and former Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces;
Christophe Plassard, Senator for Charente-Maritime and author of the parliamentary report on economic warfare;
Charles Rodwell, Member of Parliament for Yvelines and author of the report “For an Offensive Attractiveness Policy”.
These discussions highlighted four operational priorities for businesses and public authorities.
Public-Private Cooperation and Support for Strategic SMEs
While large corporations possess dedicated resources for compliance and asset protection, critical SMEs and mid-caps remain vulnerable. The discussions emphasized the need to build a more direct, operational partnership between the State and these companies: intelligence sharing on emerging threats, streamlined reporting channels, and institutional support against asymmetric competitive practices.
Financing and Mobilizing Sovereign Capital
Safeguarding industrial sovereignty relies directly on access to long-term capital. Faced with risks of foreign predation during fundraising rounds or corporate acquisitions, discussions focused on mechanisms capable of channeling national and European savings into critical sectors (disruptive technologies, defense, healthcare, and the energy transition).
Industrial Espionage in the Face of Transparency Requirements
Regulatory inflation—particularly regarding non-financial and sustainability reporting—exposes companies to heightened informational vulnerabilities. The substantial volume of sensitive data made public (supply chains, risk mapping, governance) can serve as an entry point for economic interference by foreign powers. Protecting trade secrets and intangible assets has therefore become an operational security imperative.
Foreign Investment Screening and Legal Extraterritoriality
France’s foreign investment screening mechanism (FDI / IEF) must balance national attractiveness with the strict protection of sensitive sectors. The discussions highlighted the importance of providing greater regulatory clarity for investors, while strengthening counter-measures against the extraterritorial reach of foreign legislation, whether stemming from third-country laws or the implementation of European frameworks.
Bridging the Gap Between Economic Realities and Public Policy
Designing effective economic security policies requires a seamless exchange of expertise between industry leaders and legislative bodies.
Through its political intelligence and strategic communications practices, NSI supports executives in articulating their operational constraints, informing parliamentary debate, and contributing to policymaking tailored to industrial realities.
