The United Kingdom and the European Union are making progress in talks over Britain’s place in the bloc’s proposed “Made in Europe” industrial rules, UK Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds said on Tuesday, as London seeks to protect its manufacturers from being shut out of EU-backed projects.
The proposals would give preference to European-made goods in public procurement, auctions and subsidy programmes for electric vehicles, batteries and other clean technologies. Brussels says the initiative is intended to strengthen European production and reduce dependence on imports, particularly from China.
Reynolds told Sky News that discussions with EU officials were substantial and could provide businesses with greater clarity. The scope of any compromise remains unsettled. A possible arrangement would make access conditional on Britain aligning with relevant EU trade measures, including those concerning Chinese goods, according to earlier reporting.
France has argued for a narrower definition centred on EU member states, while Germany and several northern European countries have favoured a broader approach that could include trusted partners on reciprocal terms. The outcome could affect supply chains in the automotive, battery and clean-technology sectors.
