EU's 'Made in Europe' plan threatens UK manufacturers, Burnham seeks compromise
Andy Burnham is confronting the EU's proposed Made in Europe rules that could exclude British manufacturers, prompting high-level talks with EU leaders.
The European Union is moving ahead with a “Made in Europe” policy that would give preference to EU-made products in public procurement and subsidy programmes, putting British manufacturers at risk of being shut out. Labour’s foreign secretary Andy Burnham has taken the issue to the top of the agenda, meeting Ursula von der Leyen and stressing that the UK is not an adversary. Chancellor John Healey and Europe minister Hamish Falconer have also pressed EU finance ministers to keep Britain in the new industrial framework.
France advocates a strict rule that limits benefits to the 27 member states, while Germany supports a “Made with Europe” model that could include trusted partners like the UK; Spain proposes a compromise tiered system. The debate, which could affect sectors worth around €80 billion such as automotive, chemicals and aerospace, is set for the next EU-UK summit, though the legislation is unlikely to be finalised until next year and may only take effect from 2029.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine whether UK firms can compete for EU contracts and avoid costly trade barriers.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Germany pushes for deeper Japan partnership to cut chip reliance on China
- Sep 4 The Austrian Business Agency reports that Chinese vehicle manufacturers are actively exploring Austria for manufacturing and R&D facilities.
- Sep 15 German firms have moved to partner with Japanese companies on chip components.
- Sep 21 EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič scheduled a visit to China to discuss the export curbing request.
- Sep 24 Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government has studied the possibility of a US-led military move against Canada, calling it an extreme tail risk, while noting frequent talks with President Donald Trump amid a worsening trade dispute.
- Sep 24 Chinese firms have moved from exploring to setting up joint electric‑car assembly projects in Graz.
- Sep 27 The United States imposed 50 % duties on $28 billion of Canadian imports.
- Oct 5 France and Germany have formally pushed for fast‑acting EU trade tools to counter market distortions.
- Oct 7 European Commission trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic will meet Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao in Beijing to discuss limiting Chinese exports to the EU.
- Oct 7 EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic is set to travel to Beijing for talks on trade frictions.
- Oct 9 The Chinese commerce ministry dismissed import‑quota proposals and opened an anti‑dumping probe into EU‑origin PVC ahead of the talks.
- Oct 10 The European Parliament held the vote on the China‑related resolution.
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