One key EU proposal is the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), which would require authorities spending public money – awarding subsidies or public contracts – to favour European products in sectors such as renewable technologies and electric cars…
…“European taxpayers’ money should support [European] workers and European factories,” the French industry minister, Sébastien Martin, told reporters.
Fair enough I guess. If the UK wants the benefits of being part of a big European club then I guess we need to sign up to that club. Maybe Brexit was a mistake.
They should call it “Made In EU” then. It’s not just us who are European but not in the EU.
It’s interesting to note how different countries within the union are taking about who to include and who to exclude.
It clearly goes beyond the ostentatious justification for this of presenting a united front against Chinese protectionism.
The French representative talks about limiting it to only the EU27, which wouldn’t even include the Nordics, who are almost EU in all but name. France would really like to be a big fish in a smaller pond, it would benefit their industry the most that way.
Poland’s economic development minister, Michał Baranowski, said it was too early to say whether countries such as Switzerland, the UK, Japan, Australia and Canada would be in or out, adding: “All these countries are in the mix of the discussion.”
This statement seems to implicitly include the Nordics in the arrangement by not mentioning them. In contrast to France, Poland’s industry would benefit more from open trade with more countries outside the EU bloc.
It shouldn’t be a surprise of course that politicians are prioritising their own countries’ interests in such discussions - if anything, that’s their job.
the EU27, which wouldn’t even include the Nordics
Sorry to be pedantic; I’m sure you’re thinking of Norway, but the Nordics are: Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland, and three out of the five are in the EU :)
Yeah, self-inflicted. Sucks for us, but it’s how we learn (hopefully)
I agree, but technically we are still a European country. We left the union, not the continent.
While I am irked somewhat when people conflate the EU and Europe, calling a EU-only policy a “Made in Europe” policy would still be technically correct. For example, if I told people I personally only bought products made in Europe, but in fact I only bought products made in Guernsey, my first statement would still be accurate.
If the EU ever grows to include Canada or Japan however, it would then no longer be possible to make such statements.
Well you could have made in EU but not made in Europe. For example you can buy products made in French Guiana which would be EU but not Europe. Also Cyprus is in Asia according to how some people draw the lines of the continents. Then we have the Spanish part of North Africa and arguably the Canary islands as well.
I challenge you to buy a product made in French Guiana
Point is that you shouldn’t be excluding countries from joining a “made in Europe” certification scheme when they are, in fact, making products in Europe. If you want the scheme specifically to be highlighting and promoting products made in the EU, it should be a “made in the EU” scheme.
you’re literally an island tho!
An island that is part of Europe (the continent). We’re European whether you like that or not.
We left the union, not the continent.
Consult a globe. It’s an island.
Really? Wild if true.
Yet the meatheads think that Japan is suitable for the branding. Seriously.
If they want to exclude the UK, it’s fair enough - but it should then be called something which excludes the UK. The UK is in Europe, so products made there are, as a matter of fact, made in Europe.
The UK is in Europe
Economically they told Europe to fuck off. Actions have consequences. UK never likes to be referred to as Europe.
Just to be clear, do you think “made in Europe” stickers should exclude countries which are, as a matter of fact, in Europe? Do you think that’s better than making it a “made in the EU” sticker?
UK never likes to be referred to as Europe.
I’m trying to imagine what this could mean in a way that makes it anything other than obviously wrong or obviously dumb and I can’t. Is it
- Citizens of the UK never like the UK to be referred to as Europe? This is obviously wrong. Many people in the UK recognise that the UK is part of Europe and refer to it that way. I believe you will find public statements from political figures from recent years saying as much.
- The UK itself never likes to be referred to as Europe? This is obviously dumb. The UK itself is either a bit of rock, or an abstract concept, and does not have feelings.
Brexiters are hilarious.
I can only assume you mean me, which would be hilarious if it weren’t a terribly sad example of a terribly worrying trend.
UK needs to rejoin quick before the war
