UK warns EU over 'Made in Europe' industry push

UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting warned the European Union on Monday against shutting Britain out of its “Made in Europe” industrial push, ahead of a Brussels summit later this month.

Speaking alongside top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas before talks in Brussels, Streeting said the EU should avoid letting the policy become “self-defeating protectionism”. He was also due to meet EU defence chief Andrius Kubilius and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

The EU wants to strengthen domestic sectors such as cars and defence by requiring companies to buy European products if they receive public money. London is concerned that the approach could exclude British firms.

The issue is expected to be one of the main topics around a November 20 summit between EU leaders and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, even though it is not formally on the agenda. Burnham has said the meeting could begin a “serious dialogue” on long-term relations between the UK and the bloc.

The EU push has also widened to artificial intelligence and cloud computing, raising British concerns that planned digital rules could leave UK companies outside future projects.

London and Brussels hope to reach deals on food and drink trade, youth mobility and avoiding EU carbon emissions taxes. EU capitals are due to discuss a draft joint summit statement at a meeting of ambassadors in Brussels on Wednesday.