On September 21, 2026, while on a trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham declared that the UK aspires to be a 'trusted partner' of the EU and shared its position on the EU's 'Made in Europe' initiative. Four days later, reports surfaced revealing that the EU is pressing the UK to increase import tariffs on Chinese cars and align more closely with EU trade policies. This move is aimed at preventing UK exports from being curbed by the 'Made in Europe' regulations. The UK is worried about being left out of certain EU support measures. On September 22, Burnham held a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New York. During the meeting, they deliberated on various topics, including the UK-EU summit scheduled within the year and tackling unfair competition in global markets. However, they did not reveal any specific negotiation outcomes concerning the 'Made in Europe' issue. Chinese automakers have already carved out a substantial niche in the UK market. In the first eight months of 2026, around 223,000 new cars from Chinese brands were registered in the UK. The UK automotive industry depends on both the European market and Chinese investment for its growth and sustainability.