France is set to follow in Germany’s footsteps in easing CO₂ emissions targets

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have reportedly agreed on a stance that could ease the EU’s ban on combustion engines. In return, Germany would adapt to France’s demands in what is known as the ‘Buy European’ initiative.

Macron is reportedly no longer opposing a relaxation of CO₂ emission limits for cars in the EU. In return, Merz is abandoning his defensive stance in the face of excessively stringent ‘Made in EU’ requirements. According to statements by EU diplomats, the broad outlines have already been agreed, although the concrete details are still under negotiation. By way of context: at the end of 2025, the European Commission has responded to warnings from the automotive sector with its ‘Car Package’, acknowledging that maintaining the de facto ban on combustion engine vehicles for new cars from 2035 would exacerbate the sector’s crisis.

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