Berlin and Paris want the European Commission to be able to remove companies from the EU market more quickly in a potential dispute with China, Handelsblatt reported.
Germany and France are considering new European Union powers to restrict Chinese companies’ access to the single market, Handelsblatt reported, citing diplomats and senior officials. The proposal would allow the European Commission to remove companies through an accelerated process.
Berlin and Paris see the measure as a possible response if China restricts exports of critical raw materials in retaliation for planned EU steps to protect European industry. The two governments hope the threat alone could encourage trade concessions and make actual use unnecessary, the report said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to present their demands in a joint document ahead of an EU summit on October 15-16. Handelsblatt said the Commission is preparing trade measures concerning China and that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen could announce them at the summit.
The New York Times reported in May that Europe was nearing a trade conflict amid concerns about cheap imports and risks to European industries. China’s commerce ministry said on May 21 that Beijing would take decisive countermeasures if the EU imposed restrictions on Chinese companies or goods. The proposal remains under discussion, not adopted EU policy.