Archive · 7 Nov 2025
EU Commissioner Urges Protection for Car Industry Against China
Imagine Europe's car factories are like toy shops that used to sell a lot of their own toys.
Now, some new toys from China are becoming very popular and are cheaper.
A big boss in Europe, who helps with industry, said that Europe needs to protect its toy makers.
He thinks Europe needs to be smarter about making and selling its own toys.
He also said maybe the rule about only selling electric toys by 2035 needs to be looked at again.
He doesn't like when companies build Chinese toys in Europe using Chinese parts and workers.
He wants Europe to make sure its own toy factories can still do well and sell lots of cars.
EU Industry Commissioner Stephane Sejourne stated the bloc must protect its car industry from Chinese competition.
He suggested reassessing the 2035 zero-emission target for new cars and vans.
Sejourne warned that European car production could fall from 13 million to nine million units within a decade without intervention.
He criticized the assembly of Chinese cars in Europe using Chinese components and personnel, calling it unacceptable.
The Commissioner indicated plans for a broader strategy on December 10, including affordable small electric cars to counter Chinese rivals.
- Who
- EU Industry Commissioner Stephane Sejourne
- What
- Called for the EU to protect its car industry from Chinese competition, including reassessing the 2035 zero-emission target and introducing new rules for foreign investment and production.
- When
- Published in an interview on Friday
- Where
- European Union
- Why
- To prevent a significant drop in European car production and sales due to foreign competition and to establish a stronger industrial policy.
Arguments for Protectionism and Reassessment
Concerns about Protectionism and Tariffs
Strategic Industrial Policy
Arguments for Protectionism and Reassessment
The EU lacks strategic thinking on industrial policy and needs to be less naive to protect its car industry from foreign competition.
Concerns about Protectionism and Tariffs
While a need for strategy exists, broad protectionism and tariffs could create trade tensions and harm production.
2035 Zero-Emission Target
Arguments for Protectionism and Reassessment
The 2035 zero-emission target for new cars should be reassessed for flexibility due to feasibility concerns and to counter foreign competition.
Concerns about Protectionism and Tariffs
The focus remains on transitioning to electric vehicles, with a review of the target expected later in the year.
Foreign Investment and Production
Arguments for Protectionism and Reassessment
Allowing manufacturers to assemble Chinese cars in Europe using Chinese components and personnel is unacceptable and requires new rules.
Concerns about Protectionism and Tariffs
The commissioner acknowledged that tariffs could hurt production and suggested focusing on conditions for foreign investment rather than outright tariffs.
- EU Commissioner
- Stephane Sejourne
- Concerned Industry
- European Car Industry
- Key Target Mentioned
- 2035 zero-emission target for new cars and vans
- Projected Production Drop
- From 13 million to nine million cars in Europe within ten years if no intervention
- Upcoming Strategy
- Broader strategy to be outlined on December 10, including affordable small electric cars
- Examples of Competition
- Chinese cars assembled in Spain and Hungary with Chinese components and personnel