In a written answer on 20 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné outlined the Commission's commitment to strengthening Europe's industrial base in response to a parliamentary question about the crisis in the household appliances sector, following Electrolux's announcement of 1,700 layoffs and a plant closure in Italy. The answer, addressed to six ECR MEPs led by Elena Donazzan, reaffirms existing EU instruments rather than announcing new sector-specific measures, signalling a reliance on horizontal policies to address de-industrialisation and strategic autonomy concerns.
The Commission points to the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework, which expands possibilities for Member States to support strategic manufacturing capacities, and the revised EU foreign investment screening framework to protect against risks linked to foreign takeovers. Séjourné also highlights the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, which aims to boost manufacturing through European preference and investment conditions, and the extension of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to downstream steel and aluminium products to level the playing field with imports. On trade defence, the Commission invites industry to file complaints with its Trade Defence Services if evidence of unfair import competition exists.
The answer contains no numerical targets, deadlines, or dedicated strategy for the household appliances sector or the cold chain, which the MEPs had specifically requested. Instead, it relies on general frameworks applicable across manufacturing. The Commission's policy orientation favours maintaining openness to foreign investment while strengthening screening, and using state aid and trade defence reactively rather than proactively. Institutional follow-up is likely to involve continued monitoring of sectoral developments, with potential further action if industry files formal complaints or if the proposed legislative files (Industrial Accelerator Act, CBAM extension) advance through the legislative process.