Chancellor John Healey is pressing the European Union to ensure British manufacturers are not shut out of its proposed “Made in Europe” rules, as finance ministers meet in Dublin on 18 and 19 September.
The Treasury says Healey wants closer UK-EU cooperation in manufacturing, technology and defence. According to Reuters, he intends to argue that new industrial preferences should strengthen shared supply chains rather than create barriers for British businesses.
What is the “Made in Europe” proposal?
The European Commission proposed its Industrial Accelerator Act in March 2026. It is designed to increase European industrial capacity and demand for goods made in Europe, with proposed origin and local-content conditions linked to certain public purchasing and support schemes.
The rules are still being negotiated. Their final scope, and how they would treat products made in the UK, have not been settled.
Why is Britain concerned?
British manufacturers are closely integrated with European supply chains, particularly in the automotive industry. Reuters reports that about £15 billion in UK automotive exports are sold into European markets each year.
The concern is that UK-made components or vehicles might fail to qualify for some preferences if the final rules distinguish between production inside the EU and production in neighbouring countries. That is a potential consequence of the proposal, not an existing blanket ban on British exports.
Healey seeks to avoid another defence-funding impasse
Healey is expected to tell EU counterparts to learn from the failure of talks over UK participation in the EU’s SAFE defence-loan scheme. Those discussions did not produce an agreement last year.
The Chancellor’s immediate objective is to make the UK’s case while the industrial legislation remains under discussion. No exemption, special status or agreement covering British firms has been announced.
What happens next?
EU institutions must agree the final text of the Industrial Accelerator Act. The treatment of non-EU partners, including Britain, could change during that process. Any agreement sought by the UK would require further negotiation.