欧盟立场的强硬转变反映出其对中国竞争对手在全球市场份额快速扩张的日益担忧，特别是在制造业重镇德国。尽管德国过去因与北京深厚的商业联系而对保护主义持谨慎态度，但在行业游说团体求助后，德国总理梅尔茨（Friedrich Merz）已决定采取重大战略转变，表示不再对高补贴、人为压低汇率、产能过剩和激进定价坐视不管。这项可关闭单一市场的工具被视为「二次打击」措施，旨在威慑对手，同时欧盟预计在12月中旬峰会前提出其他提案，以激励欧洲企业实现供应商多元化并应对中国的产能过剩。
海关数据显示，9月份欧盟对华贸易逆差达到创纪录的348亿美元，中国出口同比激增36%。任何新增的欧盟进口配额都可能比照双方近期达成的每年35万辆混合动力汽车进口上限协议，试图在保护欧洲企业与说服北京不进行报复之间取得平衡。在该协议下，北京也将降低部分欧盟汽车零件、橄榄油和冰淇淋的关税，同时欧盟正寻求改善在华市场准入并简化关键矿产和永磁体的出口程序。欧盟贸易专员谢夫乔维奇（Maros Sefcovic）定于明年初与中方评估进展并讨论后续步骤。
The European Union is preparing to establish new trade powers that could completely shut off access to its single market in extreme cases as part of a major push to reduce its trade deficit with China. EU leaders have asked the European Commission to draft a proposal by the end of the year to address extreme situations where a rival is seen as attacking the bloc's economy. Additionally, the commission is evaluating trade data to consider replicating its cap on hybrid car imports in other sectors experiencing surging Chinese shipments, such as chemicals and machinery, while leaders also proposed action in robotics, solar, wind energy, and medical sectors. Following the news, European chemical stocks including BASF, Arkema, and Lanxess rose.
The EU's aggressive shift in stance reflects growing alarm, particularly in its German manufacturing powerhouse, over the rapid global market share expansion of Chinese rivals. Although Germany has traditionally been cautious about protectionist measures due to deep commercial ties with Beijing, Chancellor Friedrich Merz was persuaded to make a radical strategic shift after appeals from industry lobby groups, stating Germany will no longer stand idly by against high subsidies, artificially devalued currencies, overcapacity, and aggressive pricing. The market-closure instrument is viewed as a second-strike deterrent, and the EU is also set to present further proposals before a mid-December summit to incentivize supplier diversification and address Chinese overcapacity. (Key numbers: 12)
Customs data revealed that the EU's trade deficit with China hit a record $34.8 billion in September, with Chinese exports surging 36% year-on-year. Any additional EU import quotas will likely mirror the recent agreement capping hybrid vehicle imports at 350,000 annually, aiming to find a balance low enough to protect European firms yet high enough to deter retaliation from Beijing. Under that deal, Beijing will also cut tariffs on certain EU exports of auto parts, olive oil, and ice cream, while the EU seeks improved market access in China and eased export procedures for critical minerals and permanent magnets. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic is scheduled to review progress and discuss next steps with his Chinese counterparts early next year.