IndustriAll Europe presents its position on the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal (CID) at a moment when a new report lays bare the alarming situation facing Europe’s industry and the Commission is preparing a new set of measures to implement its new industrial policy, notably the Industrial Accelerator Act, Grids Package and Automotive Package. With jobs, investment and strategic sectors under pressure, the CID must deliver turning its promise into real action. It must become the game changer workers urgently need.
When the European Commission unveiled its Clean Industrial Deal (CID) earlier this year, it presented the package as a major step towards a stronger and more resilient industrial strategy for Europe. The CID brings together a wide set of measures intended to accelerate decarbonisation, boost competitiveness and support investment in clean technologies and proposes a more coordinated approach to industrial transformation.
But this initiative comes at a time when Europe’s industrial base is under severe strain. As highlighted in the recent report commissioned by industriAll Europe on the alarming state of European industry, many sectors face falling demand, high energy costs, global trade tensions and ongoing restructuring. Workers across energy-intensive industries, manufacturing and the automotive supply chain are already feeling the consequences: postponed investments, site closures and significant job losses.
If the CID is meant to be Europe’s answer to these challenges, then it must be stronger, clearer and more ambitious. Our newly adopted position on the Clean Industrial Deal shows that while the package contains promising elements, it still falls far short of the game changer that workers and industry urgently need. The upcoming Clean Industrial Deal Implementation Package (on industrial acceleration, grids and automotive transformation) must reflect the urgency and ambition needed.
Our full assessment – along with sector-specific annexes – is available separately. Below is a short overview of our key messages.
A Social Chapter That Still Falls Short
The CID recognises the importance of quality jobs, but it lacks binding tools to protect workers and ensure fair restructuring. Social conditionalities on public funding remain optional, far from the robust safeguards European workers need. Quality jobs are not an optional extra. They must underpin Europe’s industrial policy.
Affordable, Decarbonised Energy Is Essential
High energy prices are driving deindustrialisation. The CID acknowledges the issue but still avoids the crucial reform needed to secure stable, affordable electricity for industry. Without this, Europe cannot support electrification or safeguard energy-intensive sectors.
Europe Needs Strategic Public Investment – Not Austerity
Relying on national state aid and private funding will only deepen inequalities between Member States. Europe needs a strong, collective investment instrument, comparable to NextGenerationEU, to secure long-term industrial transformation and good jobs. The proposed MFF doesn’t yet match the need. National budgets cutting in public services and social protection will deepen the investment gap.
A Real “Made in Europe” Strategy
While the CID highlights the need for European preference criteria, it does not set concrete local-content requirements (with percentage targets) to ensure public money supports production and value creation in Europe. European preference must strengthen local supply chains without harming workers in neighbouring countries or undermining fair partnerships.
Trade Policy Cannot Backslide on Values
The CID’s push for new trade agreements lacks references to sustainability and workers’ rights. Trade policy must open markets without weakening sustainability, workers’ rights or due-diligence rules, and must prevent further industrial relocation.
Climate Policy Must Support Industrial Transformation
Reforms to the ETS and CBAM must ensure that decarbonisation does not drive investment or jobs out of Europe. The CID must better safeguard energy-intensive industries while maintaining emissions-reduction goals.
IndustriAll Europe’s General Secretary, Judith Kirton-Darling states:
“Through the Clean Industrial Deal, Europe has finally recognised that we need a new industrial direction, but recognition is not enough. At a time when factories are closing, investments are stalling and workers are losing their jobs, Europe must act with far greater urgency and ambition.
“We need a deal that truly defends industrial jobs, strengthens strategic sectors and provides the investment required for a just and well-managed transition. IndustriAll Europe will remain vigilant and will press for an implementation of the CID that puts workers first and delivers good industrial jobs across Europe.”