From Dw · · 1m 30s
EU Leaders Push for Faster Trade Sanctions
EU leaders demand quicker sanctions against countries with unfair trade practices.
In brief
EU leaders demand quicker sanctions against countries with unfair trade practices. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron urged the EU to fast-track sanctions on countries undermining fair trade, citing China's trade policies and raw material dependencies. Originally reported by Dw.
EU Leaders Call for Stronger Trade Measures
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron sent a joint appeal to the European Commission on Monday, calling for tougher EU measures against unfair trade practices by other states.
Existing Tools Insufficient
They said that the existing instruments at the EU's disposal were no longer sufficient to address unfair trade practices.
China Trade Policy Focus
The appeal did not name any specific country but seemed most clearly tied to Chinese trade policy, the EU's vast deficit with China, and its dependence on key raw materials.
New Trade Measures Proposed
The joint letter called for two new measures: ensuring company diversification and allowing quicker exclusion from the single market in extreme situations.
Geoeconomic Risks Highlighted
Merz and Macron wrote that the EU's struggles with global competitiveness and raw material dependencies led to increasing geoeconomic risks.
EU Trade Deficit with China
The EU reported a trade deficit with China of €360 billion (roughly $400 billion) in 2025, though China's statisticians reached $292 billion.
Upcoming EU-China Talks
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic visits China this week ahead of an EU leaders' summit on October 15-16, where tangible trade results are expected.
The key point
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron urged the EU to fast-track sanctions on countries undermining fair trade, citing China's trade policies and raw material dependencies.
