Key facts
- Italian machine tool industry association UCIMU wants the EU to implement tougher trade rules on Chinese manufacturers.
- UCIMU advocates for imported machinery to meet the same technical and safety standards as European products.
- China's share of global metalworking machine tool exports increased to 23% in 2025 from 8% in 2016.
- Europe's share of global metalworking machine tool exports fell to 46% from 52% in the same period.
- Italian exports to China dropped to €110 million in 2025 from €316 million in 2016.
The European Union is facing calls from its industrial sector to implement stronger trade defense measures against China, particularly in the strategic machine tool industry. UCIMU, an Italian association representing approximately 250 producers of machine tools, robots, and automation systems, argues that aggressive competition from Chinese manufacturers, fueled by industrial overcapacity and subsidies, is eroding Europe's market position.
Nicoletta Pigozzi, head of economic studies at UCIMU, stated that Chinese manufacturers, having largely met domestic demand, are now aggressively expanding their overseas presence. UCIMU's primary demand is for imported machinery to adhere to the same technical and safety standards required of European manufacturers, thereby creating a more level playing field. Pigozzi emphasized that common rules applicable to all are essential, as safety standards directly impact production costs and final product prices.
For many Italian companies, relocating production to China to compete directly with Chinese manufacturers is not a feasible option. Machine tools, crucial for sectors like automotive, aerospace, energy, and defense, are considered a key indicator of industrial competitiveness. The alarm was raised when China surpassed Germany to become the world's largest exporter of metalworking machine tools.
Data compiled by UCIMU indicates a significant shift in global exports: China's share rose from 8% in 2016 to 23% in 2025, while Europe's share decreased from 52% to 46% over the same period. Italy, historically the fourth-largest machine tool exporter, also experienced a decline, with its global export share slipping to 7.8% in 2025 from 8.4% in 2016. Furthermore, Italian exports to China plummeted from €316 million to €110 million.
These concerns voiced by Italian manufacturers reflect a wider debate within the EU regarding strategies to counter China's growing industrial power. Earlier in the year, Italy, alongside France, Spain, and other nations, urged Brussels to strengthen trade defense instruments to protect European industries from unfair competition.