A car that respects ecology and "made in France". This is the wish of Bruno Le Maire who invites car manufacturers to relocate their factories in France, in exchange for financial assistance. The economic equation is difficult to solve for companies, forced to juggle international competition that is not always fair. But in its fight, France has just been joined by an unexpected ally, the Netherlands.

Bruno Le Maire requests relocations in the automotive sector. In exchange for financial aid, the Minister of the Economy asked the automotive industry "to consider relocations".

Renault must feel targeted. The French manufacturer, which will receive public aid of five billion euros, has massively relocated to Slovenia, Turkey, Romania, Morocco. The problem is that manufacturing in France is more expensive. And so, if tomorrow, Renault must first manufacture electric cars, in the name of ecology, but also more expensive cars in the name of "made in France", and the diamond brand may not sell them a lot. 

What do you mean, exactly? That it is very difficult to produce in France, while remaining competitive? 

All manufacturers tell you. In France, social and environmental standards are higher than elsewhere. And necessarily, it is very difficult to be competitive in these conditions. The problem is that so far France has always been the only one in Europe to denounce this unfair competition from low-cost countries which do not apply the same social and environmental rules. 

But precisely, everything happens, and it may be a turning point that we are experiencing. Imagine that a letter, signed by the French government and the Dutch government is currently circulating at the European Commission (yes the Netherlands, the champion of liberalism!). What does this mail say? It calls on the Commission to impose common rules on social and environmental standards for products entering Europe, in full compliance with the Paris Agreements. In short, the end of total competition, of the race for always cheaper, to the detriment of the planet and the rights of workers. 

Seen from Brussels, the fact that this fight is now being waged by the Netherlands testifies to a real change of software within the Union. A change that gives every chance to our industrialists in France, who struggle to respect all social and environmental standards.