What counts as ‘Made in Europe’? France, Germany and Spain are divided
France wants a strict EU preference, Germany would include trading partners, while Spain is proposing a compromise as Brussels seeks to counter Chinese competition.
France, Germany, and Spain are at odds over the definition of "Made in Europe" as the EU drafts new rules to support European industries against competition from China. The European Commission's proposed Industrial Accelerator Act would grant preferential treatment to European-made products, including automobiles, steel, and green technologies, in public contracts.
However, EU governments differ on the extent of this favoritism. France advocates for a strict EU preference, Germany suggests a more inclusive model that includes trading partners, while Spain proposes a middle ground. France seeks to extend rules of origin to the bloc's trading partners, provided they grant European companies equal access.
Germany proposes including WTO member countries and countries with free trade agreements or customs unions with the EU, such as Norway, Switzerland, and Canada. Spain has suggested dividing the European preference into three groups: a core of EU members, EEA countries with reciprocal access to public procurement, and third countries with free trade agreements or customs unions with the EU, as well as those supplying critical components to the EU.
Italy, the EU's third-largest economy, has not yet taken a clear position but supports an inclusive approach. Ireland, the current EU Council presidency, aims to mediate a compromise among the 27 member states by December.
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