Relocating in France with Europe

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The “Fondapol” publishes my Study “Relocaliser en France avec l’Europe” on how the European Union could or could not encourage the relocation of productive activities in France and on our continent.

The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the excessive external dependence of Europeans on health care. This observation has already led to announcements of relocation of certain production activities in France and Europe. These relocations, which depend primarily on companies, could be limited, however, since they are only one economic option among others. In a new geopolitical context, they could also be encouraged by public, national and European authorities. It is first and foremost up to France to make the right decisions in order to strengthen its attractiveness, in the same way as its European partners.

For its part, the European Union has a series of economic, financial and industrial tools at its disposal that are all assets for attracting investors, notably thanks to the single market. As an exclusive competence of the European Union, trade policy must also contribute to shaping the legal and political framework in which investors operate. It is on this commercial register that the Community tools, existing or to be created, are likely to encourage a relocation movement, in a context that is conducive to the affirmation of European collective preferences.

In order to strengthen the return or installation of productive activities on its soil, France must therefore concile the resolute use of national tools and the consensual mobilization of European tools.