Burnham will meet Irish PM as UK bids to get exemptions from EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ plan – UK politics li...

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Published: 2026-09-18T08:26:15.699Z • Permanent link

Rumors of a high-level meeting between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar have been swirling in recent days, and it appears that the two leaders will finally meet in person at 10 North, the prime minister's official residence in London. The meeting is seen as a significant development in the UK's efforts to secure exemptions from the European Union's "Made in Europe" plan, a proposal aimed at promoting the use of EU-made products in the UK's tech sector.

According to sources close to the negotiations, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt will be in Dublin on Monday to meet with EU finance ministers, where he will be pushing for the UK's interests in the matter. The "Made in Europe" plan has been a major point of contention between the UK and EU in recent months, with the UK seeking greater flexibility in its tech regulations. The plan, which is set to be implemented in 2024, will require UK companies to use EU-made products in certain areas, such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Sunak is expected to use his meeting with Varadkar to push for a more favorable deal for the UK, while also seeking to reassure the Irish government that the UK's commitment to the Good Friday Agreement remains unchanged. The meeting is seen as a key moment in the UK's efforts to balance its interests in the tech sector with its need to maintain good relations with the EU and Ireland.

UK tech companies, such as ARM Holdings and Cambridge Silicon Radio, have been heavily reliant on EU investment and collaboration in recent years. If the UK is unable to secure exemptions from the "Made in Europe" plan, these companies could face significant costs and disruption to their operations. Research communities, such as those at the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London, have also been at the forefront of developing new AI technologies, and any restrictions on EU funding could have a major impact on their work.

The implications of the "Made in Europe" plan extend far beyond the tech sector, however. The plan is also seen as a key part of the EU's broader strategy to promote European industry and competitiveness, and any restrictions on UK companies could have major implications for the EU's economy as a whole. As such, the negotiations between the UK and EU are likely to have significant implications for the global economy, and will be closely watched by policymakers and business leaders around the world.

The "Made in Europe" plan is part of a broader trend towards increased EU regulation of the tech sector. In recent years, the EU has taken a number of steps to promote European industry and competitiveness, including the introduction of new laws and regulations aimed at protecting EU data and promoting the use of EU-made products. The plan is also seen as part of a larger pattern of EU efforts to promote European industry and competitiveness, which include initiatives such as the European Innovation Council and the EU's Horizon Europe research program.