UK hopes for deal on EU’s Made in Europe rules
Minister Hamish Falconer wants British goods treated as EU-origin products and says the Brexit trade agreement offers protections if talks fail.
Britain hopes to reach an agreement with the EU to prevent proposed Made in Europe requirements from excluding British businesses, European Relations Minister Hamish Falconer said. He argued that an agreement would serve both sides’ interests.
The EU is revising trade rules to give its producers preference over competitors outside the bloc. London has sought assurances that British companies will not be affected, but Brussels says it cannot provide them while the legislation remains under consideration.
Falconer indicated that Britain wants its goods to qualify as EU-origin products under the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act. If no agreement is reached, London believes the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which governs post-Brexit trade, could require Brussels to reconsider. Falconer said that agreement provides protections for both parties.
Legal advisers within the Council of the European Union have warned member countries that the Industrial Accelerator Act proposals could breach the bloc’s international trade agreements. The European Parliament favours the strictest approach to the Made in Europe requirements.
Falconer also rejected suggestions that the EU was seeking higher British tariffs on Chinese cars in return for assurances on the industry legislation. He said those were not the discussions he was having with European counterparts.
An upcoming UK-EU summit is intended to conclude negotiations covering agri-foods, youth visas and emissions trading, and open the way for further talks. Falconer declined to say whether an agreement on Made in Europe was necessary for the summit to succeed. No date has been officially announced.
