Key facts
- EU leaders identified chemicals and industrial machinery as priority sectors for protection.
- Safeguard measures, including quotas and tariffs, are being considered.
- China became the world's largest machine-tool exporter in 2025, surpassing Germany.
- China's share of EU chemical imports has doubled to 18% in a decade.
- A deal caps Chinese hybrid car imports at 350,000 units annually.
The European Union is preparing to implement new trade safeguards targeting China's chemical and industrial machinery sectors, aiming to protect domestic industries from increased competition. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen identified these sectors as top priorities during a meeting with EU leaders on Thursday. This move follows a recent agreement to limit Chinese hybrid car imports, a deal that Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič described as a potential blueprint for other industries. China became the world's largest machine-tool exporter in 2025, surpassing Germany, with its share of EU chemical imports doubling to 18% over the past decade. Safeguard measures for hybrid cars are anticipated by December, adhering to World Trade Organization rules.