The European Commission plans to rework public procurement to favor clean-tech producers from the bloc, but solar bosses say they need help now — before more factories disappear.

Businesses say the bloc’s simplification push is “drowning in the inertia” of Brussels bureaucracy.

“Europe cannot grow stronger if it hesitates to enforce its own rulebook in the face of external political pressure,” says Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, author of the European Parliament’s annual competition report.

Brussels risks scaring off investors with new red tape and Beijing-style requirements for foreign companies.

A rebellion against Ursula von der Leyen’s calls for a European “preference” in public procurement reveals dueling visions of how to compete against the U.S. and China.

The EU executive is creating a new category of “small mid-cap” companies as it continues a deregulation push.

“Europe cannot afford to remain reactive,” the European Commission will warn in strategy to be unveiled on Wednesday.

State aid rules underpinning the Clean Industrial Deal aim to boost renewable power, decarbonization and clean tech.

The EU’s Competitiveness Compass, aiming to set out the bloc’s economic strategy, has now been delayed by another week, according to a fresh agenda.

The European Commission’s industry chief is lining up help for energy-hungry industries, aiming to stoke demand for them via public procurement.