Archive · 9 Oct 2026
European Industry Groups Urge EU to Counter Unfair Chinese Trade
Many European industry groups say Chinese trade practices make it harder for European manufacturers to compete.
They want the EU to investigate trade complaints more quickly and consider stronger ways to respond.
The groups also warned that some measures could hurt close European partners.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is visiting Beijing to discuss the trade imbalance and Chinese vehicle exports.
Plug-in hybrid cars are a particular focus because existing EU duties cover Chinese battery-electric cars, not plug-in hybrids.
If talks do not lead to commitments, the EU may consider limits or taxes on some car imports.
European officials are also looking at safeguards for plastics and composite materials.
France and Germany support stronger trade protections, but the articles note that escalation could bring risks, including possible Chinese retaliation.
Forty-four European industry associations urged the EU to respond more forcefully to what they call unfair Chinese trade practices.
The groups say market distortions threaten European manufacturing and could lead to further job losses.
They called for faster trade investigations, assessment of entire value chains, and new tools to address state-driven distortions.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is in Beijing discussing the trade imbalance and vehicle exports, including plug-in hybrids.
The Commission is considering car quotas or tariffs if talks fail, while also examining safeguards for plastics and composite materials.
- Who
- Forty-four European industry associations, EU officials, and Chinese officials including Maros Sefcovic and Wang Wentao.
- What
- Industry groups urged stronger EU action against alleged unfair Chinese trade practices as the EU discusses the trade imbalance.
- When
- During Sefcovic's two-day Beijing visit; EU leaders are due to discuss the response next Thursday.
- Where
- Beijing and Brussels.
- Why
- The groups say Chinese trade practices threaten European manufacturing and jobs, while the EU seeks to narrow its goods trade deficit with China.
Supporters of stronger trade defenses
Concerns about escalation and its risks
Trade restrictions on Chinese imports
Supporters of stronger trade defenses
The industry groups and supporters in France and Germany want the EU to use stronger defenses against practices they say distort competition and threaten European manufacturers.
Concerns about escalation and its risks
The groups cautioned that measures should not adversely affect close European partners such as Britain, Norway, and Switzerland. The articles also note concern about possible Chinese retaliation.
Prospects for concessions
Supporters of stronger trade defenses
EU negotiators are seeking Chinese export restraint for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and the industry groups want new tools to address market distortions.
Concerns about escalation and its risks
Expectations of a breakthrough in Beijing are low; the article says China's reliance on exports and weak domestic demand limit its room for substantial concessions.
- Industry groups
- 44 European associations
- Trade deficit
- The EU's goods trade deficit with China exceeds €1 billion (around $1.12 billion) per day.
- Existing duties
- The EU imposed additional countervailing duties on Chinese-made battery-electric vehicles in 2024.
- Coverage gap
- The existing vehicle measures do not cover plug-in hybrids.
- Possible car measures
- The Commission is considering import quotas and tariffs if negotiations fail to produce meaningful commitments.
- Other sectors
- The Commission plans targeted safeguards on plastics and composite materials, subject to a request from EU governments.
- Industry group requests
- Assess entire value chains, process cases faster, and create tools addressing state-driven market distortions.