Swedish MEP Jörgen Warborn (PPE) has asked the European Commission to specify which third countries would be treated as equivalent to EU origin under the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, after conflicting signals emerged over the geographical scope of the clause. The question, tabled on 3 June 2026, targets a discrepancy between the legal text—which appears to cover around 90 countries—and statements by Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, who at a joint parliamentary committee meeting on 2 June 2026 suggested the clause would apply to only about 20 countries.
The Industrial Accelerator Act (2026/0068 (COD)) introduces 'European preference' requirements for public procurement, mandating minimum EU origin quotas for selected product categories. An equivalence clause in Article 8 exempts goods from countries with which the EU has a customs union, free trade agreement, or that are parties to the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). Warborn's question seeks clarity on which countries currently qualify under these agreements, noting that the clause has 'significant implications for individual companies, contracting authorities, and the EU's relationship with global partners'.
The MEP's intervention highlights a tension between trade obligations and the push to bolster EU industrial capacity. If the clause covers nearly 90 countries, the 'European preference' could be largely symbolic; if limited to 20, it would more strongly shield EU producers but risk straining trade relations. The Commission is expected to reply within six weeks, and its answer will signal how it intends to balance protection of domestic industry with international commitments. The question also puts pressure on the Commission to reconcile its public statements with the legislative text, as the Parliament scrutinises the proposal.