Germany and France clash over ‘Made in Europe’
Berlin wants European procurement rules to remain open to trading partners, while Paris wants to favour production within the EU.
Germany and France disagree over the conditions for the new European industrial policy. At stake is a proposal that would direct public procurement and subsidies more strongly towards European production in sectors such as steel, batteries and electric vehicles.
The European Commission proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act in March. The bill is intended to increase demand for European and low-carbon products and strengthen industrial production in strategic sectors. Among other things, the proposal contains rules of origin for public procurement and support schemes.
According to a position paper, Germany wants a broader approach. Berlin prefers to speak of ‘Made with Europe’ rather than ‘Made in Europe’. Products from countries outside the EU could count under certain conditions, especially when those countries give European companies comparable access to their own procurement markets.
France is taking a stricter line. Paris wants to use public contracts to support companies within the European Union and reduce dependencies on countries such as China. According to the German position, however, an overly closed system could raise prices, limit the number of suppliers and make European industry less competitive.
Berlin does want a mechanism allowing countries or companies to be excluded when they no longer offer reciprocal access. Germany also warns that companies from third countries could move production to a trading partner with more favourable rules of origin in order to circumvent European restrictions.
The debate is taking place within a bill that has not yet been adopted. The European Parliament lists the procedure as awaiting a decision in the relevant committees. The final text could therefore still change considerably, including during negotiations between Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
The rules could have consequences for European companies’ procurement, supply chains and investment decisions. Dutch companies that supply governments or depend on foreign components may face new requirements concerning origin, carbon emissions and reciprocity. The central question is whether Europe should protect its market with barriers or could instead become stronger by admitting partners under clear conditions.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Commission has submitted a bill for European and low-carbon production.
- Germany wants to give trading partners access to the scheme under certain conditions.
- France advocates a stricter preference for production within the EU.
- The proposal has not yet been finally adopted.
Left
Arguments Europe should use public power to protect industrial jobs, climate goals and strategic autonomy. Without a European preference, the market will remain dependent on cheaper production elsewhere.
Values Workers’ rights, climate policy and economic sovereignty.
Consequences Stricter conditions could bring production back, but may increase costs for governments and consumers.
Centre
Arguments A European preference may be necessary in strategic sectors, but must remain compatible with trade agreements and leave room for reliable partners. Reciprocity and clear exceptions are essential.
Values Resilience, legal certainty and open cooperation.
Consequences A nuanced system would prevent a sharp trade rupture, but would require complicated checks.
Right
Arguments Protecting European companies must not descend into protectionism. More suppliers keep prices low and stimulate innovation; governments should primarily assess quality and safety.
Values Free trade, competition and efficient use of taxpayers’ money.
Consequences A more open system could be cheaper, but would leave European industry more vulnerable to strategic dependencies.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text clearly distinguishes between the Commission’s proposal, Germany’s position and France’s policy preference. The procedural status and the possible sectors have been confirmed by official EU sources.
- confirmed The Commission proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act in March 2026. — Mentioned in the Commission’s official announcement. source
- confirmed The proposal contains rules of origin for public procurement. — Included in the bill and the Commission’s explanatory documents. source
- confirmed Germany wants trading partners to count under certain conditions. — Described on the basis of the German position paper seen by Euronews. source
- confirmed The procedure is still awaiting a decision in the parliamentary committees. — The Legislative Observatory lists this status. source
Editor's note
The German position, the French objectives and the procedural status have been confirmed. This is still a bill; there is no final European procurement rule.Sources
- Germany seeks wider 'Made with Europe' rules — Euronews
- Industrial Accelerator Act — Europese Commissie
- Commission proposes Industrial Accelerator Act — Europese Commissie
- Procedure File: 2026/0068(COD) — Europees Parlement
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „frankrijk duitsland”
- de Volkskrant — „frankrijk duitsland”
- RTL Nieuws — „frankrijk duitsland”