Call for Views - Made in Europe

How EU ‘Made in Europe’ plans could affect UK-linked supply chains - DBT wants your insights

The UK has observed a trend in recent EU proposals towards European preferences (the “Made in Europe” agenda), such as in the recently announced automotive package, whereby the EU is using its policy tools to promote the use of goods and services produced within the EU.

DBT understand there is currently debate about this - and specifically, proposals for local content requirements in the context of the Industrial Accelerator Act.

An overly restrictive approach risks creating new barriers to trade, disrupting deeply integrated supply chains, and driving up costs for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Channel. The EU’s own simplification agenda points towards openness, not restriction.

In sectors like defence and high-tech, excluding cutting-edge UK capabilities weakens the collective European industrial and economic base and plays into the hands of systemic competitors. Europe will struggle to compete and be economically secure if the EU excludes one of the continent’s largest economies that is an integral part of existing supply chains.

The Department for Business and Trade also have significant concerns about how moves to exclude the UK would align with both our mutual legal obligations (TCA/WTO) as well as the spirit of the renewed agenda for co-operation agreed at the UK-EU summit.

DBT would be really keen to hear the views of companies that may be affected, particularly those that have a large EU footprint (or headquarters) and/or export to the EU.

Please provide your responses though the email below.