France, Germany Back Conditional UK Access to EU Auto Benefits
The proposal would give the UK a route into European auto support, while Turkey remains outside and warns of economic damage.
Key takeaways
- France and Germany proposed a conditional route for the UK to qualify for European auto support.
- Turkey is outside the proposed exception despite its customs union with the EU.
- Ömer Bolat said annual Turkey-EU goods trade is worth 205 billion euros.
France and Germany have proposed letting the UK qualify for European automotive support under certain conditions, while Turkey is excluded from the proposed exception. The plan is not yet an EU decision, and Turkey’s Trade Minister Ömer Bolat warned that excluding the country could harm both sides.
Dünya reported that the proposal would allow the UK into the “Made in Europe” framework if it takes on new obligations aligned with EU trade policy. These could include adopting EU protective measures on Chinese electric vehicle imports.
The proposed exception applies to certain European partners that were part of the EU single market on Jan. 1, 2020, according to Dünya. The UK met that condition, while Turkey did not. Turkey’s customs union with the EU would not automatically make its vehicles eligible for the proposed automotive support and public procurement rules. The proposal would not ban Turkish car exports to the EU.
Bolat said annual goods trade between Turkey and the EU is worth 205 billion euros, including 55 billion euros in automotive trade. He urged the EU to treat Turkey as an equal partner in the plan and warned that exclusion could damage economic interests on both sides.
The proposal still needs to go through EU review and approval. Turkey has pressed for the new support rules to account for production links built through its customs union with the bloc.
This article was produced with the help of AI technology. Based on reporting by the outlets listed above.
