EU Industrial Accelerator Act Too Weak, Not Too Protectionist (socialeurope.eu)

• Bruegel advocates dropping 20% manufacturing target and easing China rules; author counters.
• European-made solar costs 14.5% more; premium buys resilience and jobs.
• Carbon gigafactory in France collapsed due to regulatory uncertainty.
• Net investment in large EU firms dropped from 18.9% to 7.4% of gross profit.
• IAA covers only 15% of industry; ETUC demands broader scope and labor conditionality.

"Ludovic Voet of the European Trade Union Confederation argues the Industrial Accelerator Act is too weak, not too protectionist. He critiques a Bruegel paper advocating dropping the 20% manufacturing target and easing rules on Chinese investment. Voet emphasizes Europe needs stronger industrial policy focused on workers' rights and strategic autonomy, not relying on outdated free-trade doctrines."