The EU should promote the «Made in Europe» strategy – Stéphane Séjourné

Proposal on preferences for European products causes disagreement within the bloc

Europe must protect its own industries with a «Made in Europe» strategy, said European Commissioner for Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné in a newspaper article signed by more than 1,100 CEOs and other business leaders, according to Euronews.

Segurne called for “European preferences” in the single market to counter increased competition from China and the US.

The proposal, which would give preference in public procurement to products containing “Made in Europe” components, has been under discussion for several months in the EC and among member states, but has caused disagreement within the bloc.

“We must establish once and for all a genuine European preference in our most strategic sectors. It is based on a very simple principle: whenever European public funds are used, they must promote European production and quality jobs,” Sejourne wrote.

He recalled that other large economies already apply national preferences to protect strategic assets. According to his proposal, companies that receive public procurement, state aid, or other financial support will have to produce a significant part of their products within the EU, and the same logic should apply to foreign direct investment.

The issue is expected to spark heated debate at the EU leaders’ meeting on February 12. Germany and Italy support the EC’s desire for general regulatory simplification, while France and its allies insist on joint borrowing and increased investment in the single market. France, Germany, and the EC president have long championed the «Made in Europe» agenda.

However, smaller member states remain cautious, arguing that the single market should remain open. In particular, they fear that the proposed approach will primarily benefit larger European economies.

According to Reuters, the article was signed by CEOs from a wide range of sectors, including metallurgy (ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel). However, the list does not include car manufacturers, who are concerned about how narrow the definition of «Made in Europe» will be due to their extensive global supply chains.

It should be recalled that the change in EU public procurement rules for low-emission metals is likely to cover at least steel and will be implemented under the Industrial Accelerator Act. The EC plans to propose the latter in February this year.