Politics · Germany · 1 day ago
Experts urge EU to prepare stronger trade measures against China
A commission appointed by Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, recommends that the EU prepare stronger trade measures against China.
It says the EU should be able to respond if China escalates trade disputes.
The commission reviews economic ties between Germany and China that relate to security, and includes experts from 13 organizations.
It argues that access to the EU’s single market could give Europe leverage because China’s economy relies heavily on exports.
The head of Germany’s industry association says the EU should keep talking with China while defending its economic interests.
The EU has agreed that China will limit exports of hybrid cars to Europe, but one commission member says tariffs on imports that threaten European production would be more targeted.
He says tariffs could remove price advantages that Chinese manufacturers gain from market distortions.
The recommendations call for stronger EU tools, but no further steps are specified.
Experts commissioned by Germany’s Bundestag recommend preparing stronger EU trade measures against China.
The commission says the EU should be able to respond if China escalates trade disputes and identifies access to the European single market as a key source of leverage.
The commission includes specialists from 13 organizations, including researchers, foundation representatives, business lobbyists and trade unionists.
Peter Leibinger, president of the Federation of German Industries, said the EU should continue dialogue with China while firmly defending its economic interests.
Commission member Jürgen Matthes argued that countervailing duties on Chinese imports threatening European production would be more targeted than the reported agreement to limit Chinese hybrid-car exports to Europe.
- Who
- Experts on a Bundestag-commissioned panel; the report also cites Peter Leibinger and Jürgen Matthes.
- What
- The panel recommends preparing stronger EU trade instruments to respond to China.
- When
- The report was published on October 10, 2026; the Bundestag established the commission in November 2025.
- Where
- Germany and the European Union.
- Why
- The experts cite the need to respond to possible Chinese escalation in trade disputes and address competitive distortions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The EU should be able to strike back in the event of escalatory measures by China in trade disputes.
The EU must continue dialogue with China, but also firmly defend its economic interests.
Countervailing duties on Chinese imports that threaten production in Europe would be the better and more targeted means against the major Chinese competitive distortions.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Commission membership
- Experts from 13 organizations
- Commission established
- November 2025
- Report
- The commission’s first half-year report
- Reported EU-China arrangement
- China agreed to limit exports of hybrid cars to Europe
Sources
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