🏛️ EU introduces 'Buy European' procurement measures to boost local industry

Oneliner

The EU is set to introduce new procurement rules prioritizing EU-made and low-carbon goods, as outlined by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Antwerp on February 11, 2026. These measures, part of the upcoming Industrial Accelerator Act, aim to protect local industries from foreign competition and enhance public procurement, which accounts for 14% of the EU's GDP. The proposals will require a minimum level of European production for state aid eligibility, fostering investment and innovation within the EU.

Key points

• New EU rules will prioritize EU-made and low-carbon goods in public procurement.
• The measures are part of the upcoming Industrial Accelerator Act, set for release later this month.
• The initiative aims to protect European industries from foreign competition.
• Public procurement accounts for 14% of EU GDP, highlighting its economic significance.

Links

• Euronews: No gun culture, big gun industry: the EU's quiet arms economy
• ANSA: Von der Leyen, Buy European 'necessario ma non esiste un'unica soluzione' - Altre news - Ansa.it
• Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Merz und Meloni geben jetzt den Ton in Brüssel an
• Handelsblatt: Zölle: Cupra Tavascan - Das erste E-Auto aus China ohne EU-Strafzölle
• Il Tempo: Edo Ronchi: "Ecco le priorità per rafforzare il mercato europeo delle materie prime seconde"
• Il Tempo: Edo Ronchi: "Ecco le priorità per rafforzare il mercato europeo delle materie prime seconde"
• Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Europas Chemieindustrie in der Krise: BASF-Chef Kamieth fordert Reformen
• Politico: ‘I don’t always agree with the methods’: Macron’s Buy European push hits Swedish resistance
• Euronews: European preference is a 'fine line to walk', warns von der Leyen
• Reuters: European defence needs more clarity to avoid wasting time and money, industry says
• Il sole 24 ORE: Dal "Buy european" agli appalti: la ricetta di von der Leyen per proteggere l'industria europea
• Reuters: EU to introduce low-carbon, EU-made requirements for public procurement

Facts

• Public procurement accounts for 14% of the EU's GDP.
• The Industrial Accelerator Act is expected to be presented by the end of February 2026.
• The new rules will link state aid to a minimum level of European production.

Quotes

• Public procurement is a powerful lever. Too often our public buyers have to opt for subsidized foreign products instead of high-quality European alternatives. This is local value we are not exploiting. — Ursula von der Leyen

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