EU plans broader trade defenses vs China, citing deficit

European Union officials are preparing to deploy a broader array of trade defense measures against China, citing a growing trade deficit and what they describe as an existential threat to key industrial sectors. The bloc’s industry chief, Stéphane Séjourné, stated the EU would use import quotas and tariffs more systematically across sectors like chemicals, metals, and clean technology to shield them from unfair competition.

This strategic shift follows a meeting of European commissioners focused on rebalancing trade relations with China. Officials are developing proposals for an EU leaders' summit scheduled for mid-June, where the issue will be a key agenda item. The discussions are also expected to inform talks at an upcoming G7 summit, where trade imbalances and industrial overcapacity are slated for discussion.

The push for stronger measures is driven by a significant and widening trade gap. The EU’s goods trade deficit with China reached approximately 360 billion euros in 2025. Officials argue that Chinese exports, often priced significantly lower than European equivalents, are flooding the market, threatening the survival of domestic industries. A coalition of member...