The French president, Emmanuel Macron, told European newspapers this week that European preference should be focused on certain strategic sectors, such as clean technologies, chemicals, steel, automotive and defence “otherwise Europeans will be swept aside”.

He described European preference as “a defensive measure” and essential because “we are facing unfair competitors who no longer respect the rules of the World Trade Organization”.

A group of northern European countries that champion free trade have fired a warning shot against the idea. A joint paper from the Nordics, Baltics and the Netherlands stated that European preference “could risk adding another layer of complex regulation” and push away investment.