EU Urges Safeguards Against Chinese Chemicals, Machinery Imports

Key facts

• EU plans new import curbs on Chinese chemicals and machinery.
• EU and China agreed to cap hybrid car imports at 350,000 units annually.
• China became the world's largest machine-tool exporter in 2025.
• China's share of EU chemical imports has doubled to 18% in a decade.

European leaders are considering implementing safeguards and other trade measures to protect domestic industries, particularly chemicals and machinery, from surging Chinese imports. This move comes as the EU grapples with a significant trade imbalance that has allowed China to gain dominance in several manufacturing sectors.

Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič recently secured an agreement with Beijing to cap annual imports of Chinese hybrid cars at 350,000 units for the upcoming year, less than half of the expected deliveries for the current year. This deal is seen by some as a potential blueprint for addressing other sectors facing similar import pressures.

China's rise in the machine-tool sector, surpassing Germany in exports in 2025, and its increasing share in the EU's chemical imports highlight the growing competitive challenge. Analysts caution that China may resist similar restrictions in other product categories.