EU leaders ask Brussels to come up with new trade weapons to counter China shock

European Union leaders are calling on Brussels to forge new trade weapons to combat the economic challenges presented by China. This directive emerged from a rare summit debate late Thursday, where national leaders engaged in a two-hour discussion concerning the economic threat from Beijing. Following the debate, the EU's executive branch received instructions to actively engage with China in an effort to resolve persistent trade problems. Simultaneously, leaders mandated the development and eventual enhancement of the EU's trade defense and industrial policy instruments. This move signals a growing concern within the bloc about China's economic practices and its impact on European industries. The leaders emphasized the need for a more robust and comprehensive approach to managing trade relations and protecting the EU's economic interests in the face of global competition.

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to develop and eventually complement the toolbox in the area of trade defence and industrial policy...