Germany and France want EU storm gates for China’s trade surge

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   France and Germany Push for New EU Trade Weapon Against China

   Germany and France are proposing a new European Union trade tool to counter a surge of imports from China, aiming to bar access and instantly cut off market entry. European Commission officials have pointed to a worrying rise in imports driven by China. Meanwhile, EU negotiators are heading to Beijing to hold talks intended to avert a potential trade war and curb cheap imports, including hybrid electric cars.

   Why it matters

   The joint push by France and Germany marks a notable shift in trade policy from the bloc's top economies toward mounting trade pressures. This alignment between Paris and Berlin paves the way for a much tougher European Union stance against unfair trade risks and increasing import volumes. High-level discussions are already underway in Beijing as negotiators attempt to resolve tensions before they escalate.

   What is confirmed

   • Germany and France are proposing a new trade weapon and rapid-response tool to counter a flood of Chinese goods and bar market access.
   • A European Commission official stated that China is driving a worrying rise in EU imports.
   • EU negotiators are heading to Beijing to hold talks aimed at averting a trade war and curbing cheap imports of hybrid electric cars.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The push for the trade weapon signals that a confrontation looms with China over trade imbalances.

   What to watch next

   • Results from the upcoming EU-Beijing trade talks
   • Further legislative developments regarding the proposed EU rapid-response trade tool
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. WSJ — Germany and France Are Proposing a New Weapon to Counter Flood of Chinese Goods
   2. Bloomberg.com — Germany and France Push Trade Weapon to Bar China Access
   3. channelnewsasia.com — EU, China to hold Beijing talks to avert trade war
   4. Reuters — France, Germany push for EU rapid-response trade tool with likely focus on China
   5. Reuters — China driving worrying rise in EU imports, Commission official says
   6. The Economist — Germany and France want EU storm gates for China’s trade surge
   7. dw.com — Merz, Macron seek tougher EU measures against unfair trade
   8. South China Morning Post — France, Germany seek new EU weapon to instantly cut off market access for China
   9. Financial Times — Germany’s pivot on China trade is a long time coming for other EU capitals
   10. Bloomberg.com — Franco-German Unity on China Trade Paves Way for Tougher EU Line
   11. elderofziyon.blogspot.com — 10/05 Links Pt2: ‘An entire nation bows its head and mourns’: Israel marks memorial day for Oct. 7; I....
   12. The Economist — How Europe should handle its trade problem with China
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