UK presses EU to include ‘Made in Europe’ rules in reset talks
British officials warn proposed industrial rules could put UK businesses at risk of losing access to European contracts, with a planned summit potentially delayed.
The UK government is seeking to add the European Union’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act to negotiations on a planned reset, warning that British businesses could be disadvantaged by rules prioritising European suppliers.
The legislation, described as “Made in Europe”, is intended to reduce China’s role in European supply chains and promote EU suppliers in industries including car manufacturing and defence. Its final content, timetable and treatment of UK goods remain unsettled.
According to government sources, the act became a new priority in discussions last week between Hamish Falconer, the UK minister responsible for the reset, and EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic. Trade minister Anas Sarwar has also urged UK business leaders to raise the issue with their EU partners.
The UK is reportedly unwilling to agree a new date for a reset summit unless the legislation is included in negotiations. A meeting discussed for 6 November could be delayed, although no date has been confirmed. Food and drink arrangements and a possible youth mobility scheme remain on the broader agenda.
France is reportedly pressing for the legislation to pass by the end of the year, while an EU diplomat said several key member states supported possible UK inclusion. The Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Italy were reported to favour the UK’s inclusion, but France was said to remain unconvinced.
The dispute comes as EU manufacturers face pressure to reduce dependence on Chinese components and supplies. The UK-EU reset was agreed by Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen in May 2025, but a follow-up summit was cancelled after Starmer’s resignation. The UK government said it would continue engaging with the EU as a close European partner on economic cooperation and shared security.
