“Anything that brings the U.K. closer to Europe is welcome. But Brexit happened, so we cannot just do as if it hadn’t happened. In rebuilding that relationship, we need to take into account that they’re not members of the EU anymore,” French Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters earlier this month, commenting more broadly about EU-U.K. ties in the defense and energy sectors.
“By drawing the line on the single market, the U.K. has pulled itself out not only from the single market as we know it, but also from its future developments such as Made in Europe rules,” said Sandro Gozi, who co-chairs the European Parliament’s United Kingdom Contact Group.
However, Gozi, a Macron ally, said he hoped that one day the U.K. will reconsider its decision to leave the single market.
Sandro Gozi said he hoped that one day the U.K. will reconsider its decision to leave the single market. | Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images
The old dividing lines
“This is both the EU trade and Brexit debates along the old lines — France at the hardline end, others keener to emphasize openness,” said David Henig, U.K. director of the European Centre for International Political Economy.
Made in Europe provisions, which are part of the upcoming EU Industrial Accelerator Act, are proving controversial even among countries as they mark a paradigm shift from the bloc’s traditional free-trade agenda.
The text, shepherded by Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné, a close Macron ally, was delayed for the third time on Monday amid disagreement on the scope of its Made in Europe measures and a significant internal pushback within the Commission.