Andy Burnham has held talks with Brussels’ top official Ursula von der Leyen after warning that proposed European Union protectionist measures could cause “collateral damage” to British industry.

The Prime Minister and the European Commission president met on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

Ahead of the talks, the Prime Minister warned that the “Made in Europe” scheme, intended to protect clean technology firms and electric vehicle manufacturers from cheap Chinese competition, could hit British companies.

The EU’s proposals intend to focus public contracts and subsidies on manufacturers based within the bloc.

The scheme – formally known as the Industrial Accelerator Act – could damage firms that are closely linked to supply chains across the continent.

Downing Street said the two leaders “emphasised the importance of working together” on issues including responding to “unfair competition and overcapacity in global markets”.

A planned UK-EU summit was shelved when Mr Burnham replaced Sir Keir Starmer in No 10, but is due to be rescheduled.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The two leaders discussed the importance of working towards a successful outcome for the next EU-UK summit later in the year.

“They also reflected on the challenges the EU and UK face in responding to the threats from Russia in Ukraine and in relation to hybrid warfare and disinformation.

“They emphasised the importance of working together to meet the common security threats faced by Europe, to reduce illegal migration and to respond to unfair competition and overcapacity in global markets.

“Finally, the leaders also discussed the initiatives underway to address AI safety, including in relation to the UK’s presidency of the G20 in 2027.”

Ms von der Leyen said she was looking forward to the planned summit and “with the right mix of ambition and focus, we can deliver a stronger partnership”.

Ahead of the talks, Mr Burnham said: “We do have concerns about Made in Europe, which is something that could affect British industry and British supply chains.”

He said there was “considerable support” among EU member states for the UK’s position “because Europe’s argument is not with us”.

“We both suffer the same effects as other countries, particularly steel and the issue it raises for the steel industry in Europe and in Britain.

“We are making the argument ‘we are not your enemies here… we are not the problem’. Made in Europe is dealing with a different problem.

“We are making the argument that ‘let’s avoid collateral damage’.”