France and Germany seek faster EU response to trade threats as China talks approach
publishers 38articles 52first reported 25 Sep, 08:31 UTCdeveloping since 30 Sep · 25 editions
France and Germany have proposed a new legal mechanism that would allow the European Union to respond rapidly when trade measures or market distortions threaten the bloc’s economy.
The plan, presented in a joint paper and a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, would give the commission new authority to restrict access to the EU market, potentially immediately, according to the South China Morning Post. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the proposal was not aimed at a specific country, France 24 reported, though it comes amid growing European concern about Chinese exports and state-backed competition.
EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič is due in Beijing for two days of talks with Chinese officials aimed at easing trade tensions. Brussels has already imposed tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese electric vehicles following an investigation into subsidies, while European officials have warned that China’s expansion into higher-value manufacturing is placing pressure on industries including autos and chemicals.
The UK is separately reviewing whether to impose tariffs on Chinese vehicle imports, The Guardian reported. Aligning its policy with the EU could support Britain’s effort to participate in the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, which is intended to encourage manufacturers to source more components within Europe. The British government has said tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles remain under review.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 114 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 38
- Source articles
- 52
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 114 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →