Contributor. Review our meager EU

OPINION. It is time to lift our eyes from the Swedish net payment to the European Union and look at the whole picture. Export-dependent Sweden cannot both benefit from a strong Europe and consistently oppose the investments required to build it, writes Niklas Olausson. An excerpt from Dagens Nyheter, 2026-10-20 11:01 Original address of the article: https://www.dn.se/insandare/omprova-var-snala-eu-linje/ Opinion. Review our meager EU line Get more from DN when logged in Do you know you can create a free account on DN? As a logged-in user you can access several smart functions. - Follow your interests - Newsletter Sweden is currently driving a very restrained line in negotiations for the EU's long-term budget. Of course, EU funds should be used effectively. But focusing on reducing Sweden's payments risks being both short-sighted and counterproductive. According to Svenskt Näringsliv, 60 percent of our exports go to the EU's internal market. This is estimated to contribute to about one million jobs, equivalent to about 20 percent of all jobs in the country. Our prosperity is therefore largely dependent on the European market, which we now risk weakening. At the same time, Europe faces growing challenges. We need to strengthen our security, manage the climate transition, and meet global competition. This requires joint investments and political action. Demanding a smaller EU budget in the coming years is not economically responsible. It is turning a blind eye to what is at stake. And the French farmers, then? The pandemic showed how vulnerable our supply chains are. A vibrant European agriculture among neighboring countries promotes Sweden's food supply and Europe's resilience. It is time to lift our eyes from the net payment and look at the whole picture. Export-dependent Sweden cannot both benefit from a strong Europe and consistently oppose the investments required to build it. Government, review your negotiating line! r about opinion: This is how you write an opinion and reply More opinions: dn.se/insandare