Brussels wants to allow governments to exclude foreign bidders and “buy European” in a move echoing Donald Trump’s “America First” policy that could break international agreements with trading partners.
The European Commission “will propose the introduction of a European preference in public procurement for critical sectors and technologies”, according to a draft plan obtained by the Financial Times.
Officials say the aim is to give governments a way to protect important EU sectors from cheaper competitors from China and elsewhere. The proposal, which aims to implement reforms championed by Italy’s former prime minister Mario Draghi, is still under discussion and could change before it is published on Wednesday, they said.