European Commission Considers Expanding Tariffs on Chinese Goods Amid Industrial Pressure
The European Commission is contemplating a broader application of import quotas and tariffs on Chinese goods to protect its industrial sectors from what it perceives as unfair competition. This move is part of a strategic shift in the EU's trade defense posture, traditionally reliant on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations. The Commission's executive vice-president, Stéphane Séjourné, highlighted chemicals, metals, and clean technology as areas of concern. The EU's trade deficit with China, which reached €359.8 billion in 2025, has fueled calls for a stronger trade response. Several EU member states, including France and Italy, are advocating for more aggressive trade-defense measures to safeguard European industries from import surges and state-supported competition. 
