German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would relay to Brussels concerns from Japan, Singapore and South Korea that the European Union’s “Made in Europe” initiatives risk creating a new form of protectionism. The concerns focus on the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, which seeks to strengthen Europe’s industrial base by encouraging manufacturing and sourcing within the bloc. EU governments and the European Parliament still need to agree on a final text, with approval expected next year. The proposal is part of broader efforts to help European industries compete with overseas rivals facing fewer regulations and lower energy costs, while reducing reliance on China. Merz said German and European products could succeed in Asian markets only if Europe remained open to trade. During his week-long trip, he also promoted closer cooperation among like-minded middle powers in areas including semiconductors, industrial artificial intelligence, energy and supply chains, as the United States and China reshape their economic and foreign policies. Germany and South Korea have previously highlighted cooperation on batteries, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, while Korean officials have called for stronger supply-chain resilience without allowing economic-security concerns to fuel protectionism.