The French government has signaled a change in policy regarding the UK's participation in the European Union’s 'Made in Europe' legislation, a draft framework intended to shield domestic manufacturing from low-cost Chinese competition. Previously, France had resisted efforts to include the UK in the Industrial Accelerator Act, a position that put it at odds with Germany, which has consistently advocated for British inclusion.

According to a joint Franco-German proposal, the path forward for the UK to be designated as 'European' for the purposes of this legislation is now tied to trade policy. France has agreed to support the UK's inclusion on the condition that the British government matches the EU’s stance on tariffs regarding Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). This move represents a significant alignment between Paris and Berlin, effectively bridging a divide that had stalled progress on the draft legislation. The proposal aims to create a unified front in protecting European industrial interests against global market pressures, particularly those originating from China. While the legislation remains in the draft stage, this agreement between the two largest EU economies suggests a high likelihood of the UK being integrated into the bloc's industrial protectionist strategy, provided the requested trade alignment is met.