Germany and Spain clash over scope of EU's 'Made in Europe' push
EU member states remain divided over how broadly to define a European preference scheme for public procurement, with Germany favoring an inclusive approach and France and Spain pushing for stricter rules. A compromise is hoped for by November.
At a meeting of EU industry ministers in Brussels on Thursday, deep divisions emerged among the bloc's largest economies over which countries should be admitted to the so-called 'Made in Europe' scheme. The initiative is part of the Industrial Accelerator Act, unveiled by the European Commission in March, which aims to steer EU public spending on green technology, energy-intensive industry and autos toward European companies to help them compete with dominant Chinese exporters.
Position papers obtained by POLITICO ahead of the meeting show that Germany, the bloc's export powerhouse, favors a broad 'Made with Europe' group in line with the Commission's original proposal. This would grant access to countries with free-trade or public procurement agreements with the EU, or those in a customs union with the bloc — potentially as many as 80 countries. Germany also wants an opt-in option for other third countries offering reciprocal treatment. No other EU country has signed onto Germany's position.
France, by contrast, favors a more restrictive approach, with Industry Minister Sébastien Martin stressing that public funds should go toward products actually produced in Europe, even if some added value originates elsewhere.
Spain has proposed a three-tier structure: EU member states would form the first tier with the strongest preference, EEA members and other 'trusted' partners the second tier, and countries with free-trade, customs union or procurement agreements with the EU the third tier — with the possibility of upgrading as trade ties deepen.
Ireland, which chairs talks among EU governments through year-end, plans to table a new compromise by mid-October and hopes to broker a deal in November. The German and Spanish wings of the European People's Party are similarly split on the issue. The deadline for MEPs to file amendments has been extended to Oct. 7. With the legislative timeline slipping, the Commission's hope of reaching a deal this year looks increasingly unlikely. The dispute is also being closely watched in the U.K., where the new government has raised concerns about being excluded from the scheme.
