Stories
European Industry Groups Urge Tougher Action Against Unfair Chinese Trade Practices
- •Forty-four European industry associations have called on the EU to take stronger action against unfair Chinese trade practices that threaten manufacturing and jobs.
- •The appeal coincides with European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic holding talks in Beijing to address the EU's daily goods trade deficit with China exceeding one billion euros.
- •Industry groups want the European Commission to examine entire value chains, recruit more staff to speed up cases, and introduce new tools for market distortions.
- •France and Germany are backing stronger trade defences, urging the Commission to have greater freedom in restricting single market access for distorting countries.
- •The EU is considering unilateral trade restrictions on cars, including import quotas and tariffs, if negotiations fail to produce meaningful export restraints.
Key Questions Answered
Forty-four European industry associations representing sectors like metals, chemicals, and automotive parts warned that unfair Chinese trade practices threaten European manufacturing and risk further job losses. They appealed to the bloc to use trade defence measures and introduce new tools against market distortions as the EU deals with a goods trade deficit with China exceeding €1 billion daily.
If negotiations fail to yield commitments, the European Commission is considering unilateral trade restrictions on cars, including import quotas and tariffs. Additionally, the bloc plans to introduce targeted safeguards on plastics and composite materials following requests from EU governments.
France and Germany are strongly backing the push for tougher measures, with leaders calling for the Commission to have greater freedom to restrict access to the single market for goods from countries distorting competition. European policymakers are increasingly concerned that higher US tariffs could divert excess Chinese exports into Europe.
