British officials fear that excluding the U.K. could lock its firms out of key supply chains and skew procurement decisions in favor of EU-based competitors.
“This is something which I am raising rapidly,” Kyle said in response to a POLITICO reporter’s question. “We have a window of opportunity here to make our voice heard loud and clear before any final decisions are made in the EU, and they are listening very respectfully.”
“I am deeply worried by some of the voices coming out of Europe, but it is not a unanimous voice that’s coming out of the EU,” said Kyle.
The policy is facing pushback from Germany, which wants to ensure the U.K. and other countries with a free trade agreement with the EU can participate in investments and public procurement covered by the act — while France is taking a more protectionist approach and wants industrial production rooted firmly on EU soil.
Kyle is expected to meet EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič during the trip, as London ramps up its engagement with Brussels.
“I met Maroš in Davos. I met him again in London this week, and I’m going over to Brussels in the coming days to continue the conversation,” said Kyle. “So I’ve thrown myself into this.”
Kyle will also cover Britain’s efforts to avoid being hit by the EU’s incoming steel tariffs, adding that the U.K.’s “steel sector [is] better served by the EU, America, and the U.K. working collaboratively, cooperatively, and respectfully together.”
Before Christmas, Kyle received new powers to move faster in imposing higher tariffs on under-priced Chinese goods, as British officials continue to press their Western counterparts to forge an alliance to crack down on Chinese steel overcapacity.