France is leading a push to exclude the UK from the European Union's (EU) proposed "Made in Europe" policy. This could potentially disadvantage British companies in the race to supply European countries with low-carbon technologies and electric cars.
The policy, which is still under negotiation, aims to protect European companies from what is described as "unfair" state-subsidised competition from China. French industry minister Sébastien Martin stated that "European taxpayers' money should support [European] workers and European factories."
Conversely, Germany and Nordic countries are advocating for a broader "Made with Europe" policy that would include the UK and other allies. Germany's economic affairs minister, Katherina Reiche, said that partner countries should be included in the union-origin principle, generally and on the condition of reciprocity.
Andy Burnham raised the plans with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen earlier this week. British officials anticipate an EU-UK reset summit in November, though an earlier 6 November date has been cancelled.