The plan, initially expected this week, has faced delays due to ongoing debate within Europe and the Commission itself regarding the unprecedented measure aimed at revitalizing the continent’s industrial output.
This is the third postponement since December, intended to resolve disagreements within the Commission concerning measures centered around a “European preference”—requiring companies benefiting from public funds to manufacture in Europe.
“We hope that this additional week of internal discussions will allow us to make the proposal even stronger,” Séjourné’s office stated, as reported by [2].
Driven by a 2024 report from former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, the European executive has been working for months to support industries facing competition from China and tariffs imposed by the United States, according to the Agence France-Presse.
Séjourné has drafted a bill, dubbed the “Industrial Accelerator,” which seeks to establish a European preference in key sectors including the automotive industry and “clean” technologies—such as solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries. France is a strong advocate for this concept, particularly to protect its domestic battery manufacturing industry for electric vehicles.
However, other European countries, citing principles of economic liberalism, have expressed reservations. The scope of the measure is also a point of contention within the Commission. According to a source within the executive, discussions now focus on whether to include production from countries with free trade agreements with the EU within the definition of “Made in Europe.”
Germany is reportedly pushing for this expansion to avoid disrupting European industrial supply chains and prevent trade disputes with allies. Several member states have also voiced concerns that the measure could increase manufacturing costs for European industries, which are already struggling with lower prices from foreign competitors, particularly from China.
In response to these concerns, sources close to Séjourné have indicated that the measure will be “triply targeted”: applying to a limited share of critical components, a limited number of strategic sectors, and only when public funding is involved.
