EU moves toward imposing new restrictions on Chinese imports

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the Commission will propose new restrictions on Chinese imports, going beyond agreed safeguard measures to halve imports of hybrid cars, amid a trade deficit exceeding one billion euros per day. Macron supported focusing on imports of chemicals and plastics.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the Commission will propose imposing new restrictions on Chinese imports, going beyond the safeguard measures agreed with Beijing to halve imports of Chinese hybrid cars. She spoke at a press conference following the European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, where she noted that the EU's goods trade deficit with China exceeds one billion euros per day. She added that European industries have demanded action, and that EU leaders showed clear support for this direction. French President Emmanuel Macron said the Union should focus on imports of chemicals, plastics and iron alloys. Von der Leyen also explained that the Commission will work on developing a new mechanism to quickly curb the access of certain products to the single market, and will present in December a proposal to establish a mechanism limiting European companies' dependence on a single source for vital supplies.