Brussels wants EU governments to exclude foreign bidders in public procurement tenders and “buy European”, as the bloc attempts to reassert itself despite the impact of US President Donald Trump’s trade war.

Trump’s tariffs and threats to remove US protection from European countries unless they spend more on their militaries has spurred Europe to try and increase its self-sufficiency, from technology to defence and economic security.

Stéphane Séjourné, the EU’s executive vice-president for industry and the internal market, on Wednesday presented a plan harmonising rules across the EU and cutting down barriers in the bloc’s internal market. The plan addresses challenges from transferring workers between EU countries, to inconsistent standards for e-commerce and financial services.