British finance minister John Healey will encourage his EU counterparts to not leave Britain out of the bloc's "Made in Europe" industrial policy during a meeting in Dublin later, as he advocates for stronger economic and security connections.
Healey seeks tighter collaborations with the EU in technology, defense, and manufacturing, according to the treasury, and aims to obtain improved access to European markets, a decade after Britain's referendum to exit the bloc.
The Labour government in Britain has been attempting to enhance trade relations with the EU since taking office in 2024, but has encountered difficulties, notably in securing membership in the EU's SAFE defense fund last year.
The EU's Made in Europe initiative might be the newest hurdle, as Healey advocates for exemptions for Britain.
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He will advise EU partners to "take note of the lessons" from SAFE, which collapsed after London declined to make the financial contribution to participate.
The Made in Europe initiative focuses on reducing dependence on Chinese parts by favoring products manufactured in Europe over those from non-EU countries, raising concerns for British auto industry suppliers who contribute to EU supply chains.
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Approximately £15 billion of UK automotive exports are annually sold in European markets, and Healey, participating in his first EU finance ministers meeting since becoming chancellor in July, will urge the bloc against creating new barriers.
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Reports suggest that during the meeting, he will also convey that Britain could consent to a "reset" agreement with the EU, as long as Prime Minister Andy Burnham's administration demonstrates that it "advantages people back home." A formal summit between Britain and the EU has been delayed from July following the resignation of Britain's former Prime Minister Keir Starmer in June.