EU Weighs Extending China Import Restraints Beyond Cars
European ministers consider additional industries for negotiations with Beijing as the bloc seeks to narrow its trade deficit.
TL;DR
- EU trade ministers discussed expanding negotiations with Beijing beyond automobiles.
- Sectors like chemicals and machinery are being considered for new talks.
- The EU aims to counter a widening trade imbalance with China.
- The EU's goods trade deficit with China reached €359.8 billion in 2025.
- Imports from China rose 6.4% while EU exports to China fell 6.5% in 2025.
- A recent agreement on hybrid-vehicle exports is seen as a starting point.
- The current arrangement is not expected to resolve the daily trade deficit of roughly €1 billion.