28th Sep 2026 06:41
(Alliance News) - The UK's Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has warned against European protectionist measures, arguing they are not in "anyone's interests".
The EU's proposed Made in Europe scheme intends to focus public contracts and subsidies on manufacturers based within the bloc.
Reynolds said it "wouldn't be to the benefit of Europe to cut the UK out of that", claiming the UK's involvement would improve the scheme's "resilience and autonomy".
Formally known as the Industrial Accelerator Act, the scheme is intended to protect clean technology firms and electric vehicle manufacturers from cheap Chinese competition.
However, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged the EU to avoid causing "collateral damage" to British industry.
He said there was "considerable support" among EU member states for the UK's position "because Europe's argument is not with us".
Speaking on the fringes of the Labour Party conference, Reynolds told the Politico Pub: "Made in Europe – what is the intention on the EU side? They say it's about greater resilience, greater autonomy for European industry in the face of very significant pressures from both the US and China.
"Now, if that is the objective, it stands to reason that the UK, as the second biggest economy in Europe, should be a part of that, because you will increase your resilience and autonomy by having a substantial economy like ours within there.
"If it is a essentially a very old-school kind of protectionist measure. Well, that would be very difficult for us. And frankly, isn't in anyone's interests in Europe."
He added: "We're trying to deepen the trade arrangements on a whole range of things: food and agriculture, electricity trading, emissions trading.
"So, the direction we should go in is is making that a stronger relationship … it wouldn't be to the benefit of Europe to cut the UK out of that either."
By Rhiannon James, Press Association Parliamentary Editor
Press Association: News
source: PA
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