Audiovisual portal

EC Midday press briefing of 08/05/2026

Show transcript

I wanted to ask about the plans for the Chinese-owned car manufacturer MG to make their first,

plant in Europe.

Right now, the, it is being heavily rumored that, it will be located in Ferrol,

a city in northwest Spain that has been,

economically and demographic declined, for, quite some decades.

I would like to ask how does the Commission value this project and how does it fit into the commission's industrial plans,

the caution that it exists currently with China, especially for energy and industrial purposes,

and its impact on, on European areas such as cohesion or regional development. Thank you. Thank you.

I am afraid we don't have a specific reply to this project. I'm looking at my colleagues.

If anyone has something they might reach out to you bilaterally later.

Without knowing about the specific initiative, let me be clear about one thing.

I think we have always been very transparent on the fact that Europe is open for business to everyone, worldwide.

What is important for us is this is done at fair terms, competing equally with, our own companies, so of course we have.

A set of rules and measures to ensure that this is the case, but indeed

we encourage investments done at fair conditions that attract good projects to our, our European countries.

This can also be done in the context of cohesion funds.

I think it's, it has some, some specifics, but as I said, I'm not aware of, of, of this case in particular,

so I'll ask my team to look into it later and they will revert back to you if,

if they have something on it specifically. OK. With that, Maximilian from Remote.

Media information
ID I-289150
Date 08/05/2026
Duration 01:56
Personalities Arianna Podestà
Location Berlaymont press room, Brussels
Institution European Commission
Views 43