IKV organised a meeting titled “The EU Industrial Accelerator Act, the ‘Made in EU’ Criterion and Public Procurement” at the IKV İstanbul EU Information Centre Conference Hall on 18 June 2026.

Moderated by IKV Deputy Secretary General M. Gökhan Kilit, the meeting began with a brief address delivered via video conference by IKV Chairperson Dr. Ayhan Zeytinoğlu. In his opening remarks, Kilit noted that the EU Industrial Acceleration Act and the related “Made in EU” criterion have become among the most closely followed issues by both the Turkish and European business communities in recent months. He emphasised that the EU is reshaping its trade and industrial policies in response to changing global trade conditions, increasing competition from China, the Russia–Ukraine War and growing economic security concerns. According to Kilit, these developments may have significant implications for Türkiye’s trade relations with the EU and for the gains achieved under the Customs Union. He also stressed the importance of closely monitoring developments in the EU in order for Türkiye to preserve its current advantages and adapt to the new environment.

The first speaker, IKV Secretary General and faculty member at Yıldız Technical University, Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, highlighted that competitiveness, economic security and strategic autonomy are becoming increasingly influential objectives of EU industrial policy. She explained that, following the Draghi and Letta reports, the EU has embarked on a comprehensive transformation process aimed at closing the innovation gap, decarbonising its economy and reducing strategic dependencies. Describing the Industrial Acceleration Act as one of the key instruments of this transformation, Assoc. Prof. Nas noted that the EU is seeking to use public procurement and state support more strategically in pursuit of its industrial policy goals. She explained that the “Made in EU” approach is intended to prioritise products manufactured in Europe and introduces new requirements for energy-intensive industries, net-zero technologies and the automotive sector. From Türkiye’s perspective, she noted that one of the most important advantages is that products of Turkish origin may, to a certain extent, be recognised as EU-origin content under the Customs Union. Nevertheless, she warned that shortcomings in public procurement alignment and the failure to modernise the Customs Union could create new challenges. Assoc. Prof. Nas also underlined that the EU’s rapidly expanding network of trade agreements with third countries is increasing existing asymmetries for Türkiye, making the modernisation of the Customs Union an increasingly urgent necessity.

The second speaker, IKV Researcher Ahmet Emre Usta, assessed the opportunities and risks that the EU’s new industrial policy instruments may create for public procurement, supply chains and the private sector. He explained that the Industrial Acceleration Act introduces new rules covering energy-intensive industries, net-zero technologies and the automotive sector, with particular significance for electric vehicles. Usta stressed that EU-origin content requirements in public procurement and support programmes are likely to provide substantial advantages to European producers. While many Turkish-origin intermediate goods may qualify as EU-origin content thanks to the Customs Union, he warned that the requirement for electric vehicles to be assembled within the EU represents a serious risk for Türkiye. Recalling that Türkiye is one of Europe’s leading automotive manufacturing centres, Usta noted that such regulations could redirect new investments towards the EU, weaken Türkiye’s position in electric vehicle production and adversely affect its competitiveness in the European market. At the same time, he pointed out that Turkish firms capable of adapting to low-carbon production processes could benefit from important opportunities in the new environment, particularly in sectors aligned with the CBAM.

The third speaker, TOBB–IKV Brussels Representative Haluk Nuray, reviewed recent developments concerning the “Made in EU” criterion and public procurement in light of ongoing discussions in Brussels and the approach of EU institutions. Nuray stated that the EU’s primary objective is to preserve its global competitiveness by adapting to the realities of the twenty-first-century economy. He described the Industrial Acceleration Act and the “Made in Europe” approach as part of the EU’s search for a new industrial policy model, noting that the process is still ongoing and that the final framework will emerge through continuing negotiations. According to Nuray, the key question for Türkiye is the extent to which the advantages gained through the Customs Union partnership can be preserved under these new industrial policy instruments. He highlighted Türkiye’s importance within European value chains in sectors such as automotive, machinery, metal processing and batteries. Noting that the EU is adopting a more protectionist approach in pursuit of its economic security and strategic autonomy objectives, Nuray stressed the need for Türkiye to intensify its engagement with Brussels through both public institutions and the private sector.

The meeting concluded with a Q&A session.