Von der Leyen Signals Curbs on Chinese Imports as Europe Expands Push to Protect Industry
Key Facts
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Commission would propose restrictions on Chinese imports in sectors beyond hybrid cars, responding to calls from European industries for additional protective measures. She said the Commission was working with the chemicals and machinery sectors and was ready to use trade defense instruments, including safeguards. Her remarks followed the European Union summit, while French President Emmanuel Macron said chemicals, plastics and ferroalloys should be among the sectors on which the bloc focuses. The debate is therefore moving beyond cars to other industries that European governments believe need trade measures. The remarks gave no details of the proposed instrument or when it would take effect.
The move comes amid a European trade deficit with China, prompting ministers to call for rebalancing through dialogue with Beijing and for the discussion to cover more industrial products. In October, the European Commissioner for the Economy said the agreement on reducing hybrid car imports should be followed by a rebalancing of trade in other sectors, alongside improved access for EU exports to the Chinese market. European officials close to the negotiations named chemicals, furniture, industrial machinery, steel and wind turbine components among the areas under consideration. The list shows that talks span chemicals and industrial products as well as energy-related components. On 23 October, ministers said dialogue with Beijing should continue, addressing imports of chemicals and machinery and considering quotas for plastic products.
Chemicals and plastics have featured in European efforts that predate the summit remarks. On 10 September, Reuters reported that France, Italy and Germany planned to seek safeguard import quotas for products including polyethylene terephthalate resin, known as PET and widely used in packaging, epoxy resin and fiberglass. The report said safeguard measures impose duties on volumes above the quotas and apply to all trading partners. That means the quota instrument under discussion could apply to imports from various partners, not China alone, according to the report's description of the measures. The published remarks gave no details on quota limits or possible duties.
The discussions coincide with broader trade disputes between Brussels and Beijing, including Chinese restrictions on exports of dual-use goods to European companies. China imposed those restrictions on 24 July 2026, in response to European Union sanctions, according to earlier EL7 coverage. The development adds a backdrop of reciprocal measures to the Commission's search for tools to protect European industrial sectors. Broadening the range of trade issues also increases the importance of continued dialogue, a path European ministers emphasized in their remarks on 23 October. The available remarks did not announce a new Chinese response to European proposals concerning other sectors.
In a parallel move, von der Leyen said the Commission would present a proposal in December for a new instrument to limit EU companies' dependence on a single supplier for certain critical supplies. The Commission also plans to propose a solidarity mechanism to help sectors or countries facing external coercion or retaliation. Von der Leyen described it as a "solidarity mechanism" to support those facing pressure or retaliatory measures from outside the bloc. The proposal places trade restrictions within a broader European effort to address the risks of dependence on a single supplier and respond to external pressure. December remains the target for the announced proposals, while no timetable has been set for details of the sectoral restrictions under discussion.