# EU and China agree to curb hybrid car exports

> The European Union and China reached a breakthrough deal on Friday to moderate Chinese hybrid vehicle exports, narrowing a trade deficit that costs the bloc one billion euros daily.
- Title: EU and China agree to curb hybrid car exports · POLITICO
- Summary: The European Union and China reached a breakthrough deal on Friday to moderate Chinese hybrid vehicle exports, narrowing a trade deficit that costs the bloc…
- Keywords: china, hybrid cars, trade deal, maroš šefčovič, automotive exports, trade deficit, politics, world, agree, curb, hybrid, car
- Source: POLITICO — https://politico.eu/article/china-says-it-reaches-understanding-with-eu-on-hybrid-cars
- Published: 2026-10-09T11:50:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: eu, china, hybrid cars, trade deal, maroš šefčovič, automotive exports, trade deficit, politics, world
## EU and China reach hybrid car deal
The European Union and China agreed on Friday to curb China's booming hybrid car exports, delivering a breakthrough in negotiations aimed at rebalancing their trade relationship.
## Šefčovič wraps up Beijing talks
Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič completed two days of talks in Beijing, culminating a push launched in June to narrow the bloc's one billion euros a day trade deficit with China.
## France and Germany backed tough stance
The deal marks a win for the EU executive, which faced pressure to secure concessions from Beijing. France and Germany strengthened Šefčovič's hand by calling for tough action on trade.
## Exports could fall by more than half
Šefčovič said the two sides reached an understanding to moderate China's export of hybrids and plug-in hybrids to the European Union, cutting China's exports by more than a half.

> We have reached a shared understanding to moderate China's export of hybrids and plug-in hybrids to the European Union. This opens the prospect of cutting China's exports by more than a half.
## China cuts duties on European goods
Beijing agreed to lower duties on European goods worth four billion euros, ranging from olive oil to footwear, saving exporters two hundred twenty five million euros.
## Rare earth exports to be fast-tracked
China said it was willing to continue fast-tracking licenses to export rare earth elements to the EU. Automakers had shut down assembly lines after China temporarily restricted exports last year.
## Next steps and future meetings planned
Brussels sees the hybrid deal as a blueprint for shielding other EU sectors under strain, such as chemicals or machinery. The two sides plan to meet again in March twenty twenty seven.
## Key takeaway

The EU and China agreed to cut Chinese hybrid car exports to Europe by more than half, delivering a trade breakthrough after pressure from France and Germany.