German finance minister calls for ‘buy European’ approach in clean tech and infrastructure

Europe needs a strategic industrial policy covering clean tech such as hydrogen, batteries and e-mobility, and should aim to use products made on the continent, German finance minister Lars Klingbeil said.

“’Buying European’ can be the right approach when it comes to producing critical components such as modern semiconductors and batteries in Europe,” Klingbeil said.

The European Commission has tabled its Clean Industrial Deal action programme to boost competitiveness and support decarbonisation, aiming to help energy-intensive industries and clean tech sectors compete internationally while contributing to EU climate goals. The Commission said it would help mobilise 100 billion euros to support EU-made clean manufacturing.

German industry association BDI said last year that Germany’s industrial success depends on advancing green technologies including power grids, wind, hydrogen, e-mobility and heat pumps.

Klingbeil also highlighted infrastructure and heavy industry. “With the many investments in roads, bridges, and railways that we are now initiating, I would like to see European-produced steel being used,” he said. The German government has set up a 500-billion-euro fund for infrastructure and climate investments, taking on debt beyond previous constitutional limits. 

This investment boost would also benefit the EU, said Klingbeil. “With modernised roads and railways, powerful power grids, AI data centres, and world-class research, we are also driving European progress.”