For months now, Paris has been pushing the European Union to adopt a more assertive industrial policy. French officials argue that Europe’s economic competitiveness can no longer hinge solely on market openness and global competition. Instead, they advocate for a robust industrial strategy, one that prioritizes European interests in key sectors while reducing reliance on foreign dependencies—particularly those involving China. Within the European Commission, Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné has championed a draft regulation aimed at accelerating industrial development. Despite internal negotiations that have scaled back some of the original ambitions, France remains steadfast in its push for an expanded scope. The proposal now seeks to extend European preference mechanisms in public procurement, acquisitions, and subsidies beyond clean technologies, energy-intensive industries, and electric vehicles to include shipbuilding, rail equipment, and chemical production.
These very sectors are where the France-Morocco industrial partnership has flourished over the past two decades. France stands out as the EU member state most deeply integrated with Morocco’s industrial base. This unique positioning places Paris in a delicate balancing act: advocating for a strict “Made in Europe” approach while maintaining a long-standing strategy of co-industrialization with a non-EU partner. In the automotive sector, Renault’s Tanger plant and Stellantis’ Kenitra facility operate as extensions of France’s production lines. Component manufacturers in Morocco supply parts directly to European industrial sites. A similar trend is evident in aeronautics, where companies like Safran, Daher, and Latécoère have woven Moroccan industrial capabilities into their global value chains. Morocco is no longer just an outsourcing hub; it now plays a direct role in enhancing the competitiveness of France and the broader EU industrial output. This integration has expanded into critical areas such as electric vehicle batteries, green hydrogen, critical raw materials, port infrastructure, and digital technologies.
France is the EU member state most deeply intertwined with Morocco’s industrial ecosystem.
The French strategy is not about isolating Europe but ensuring that a blanket “Made with Europe” approach—encompassing all 80 of the Union’s trade partners—does not dilute the substance of European preference. Paris is pushing for a more selective approach: distinguishing between countries that actively contribute to Europe’s competitiveness and supply chain security and those that merely serve as external suppliers—or worse, pose a threat to European sovereignty.
How far will this vision resonate across the EU? By mid-July, the 27 member states will assess the progress of the industrial acceleration regulation during a political review at the Council. Germany’s stance will be pivotal. Berlin has traditionally viewed French proposals for industrial preference with skepticism, fearing potential trade restrictions from Beijing and retaliatory measures against its automotive industry. However, faced with an unprecedented industrial crisis and mounting political pressure from domestic shifts, Germany can no longer afford to uphold a rigid free-trade stance. Could a selective opening to trusted partners bridge the divide between Paris and Berlin? The future of the France-Morocco industrial partnership may hinge on this very question. While France has not explicitly listed Morocco as a candidate for this privileged status, its industrial and diplomatic strategy positions the Kingdom as a natural fit.
The battle will also unfold in the European Parliament, where two French rapporteurs hold key roles in shaping the regulation. Alongside French delegations, they bear the responsibility of ensuring that the new regulatory boundaries being drawn do not undermine the future of the Morocco-France industrial collaboration.