France and Germany have jointly urged the European Union to adopt aggressive new trade instruments that would allow the bloc to rapidly restrict market access for countries like China. Outlined in a shared strategy paper, the proposed framework aims to establish a high-stakes mechanism to counteract severe market distortions and mounting trade deficits. The initiative reflects a major shift in European policy, moving away from traditional consensus-building toward much stricter economic defensibility. Under the suggested guidelines, the European Commission would gain expedited authority to deploy retaliatory measures without requiring unanimous approval from every member state. Ultimately, this hardline approach underscores growing European anxiety over overcapacity and the urgent need to protect domestic industrial competitiveness.

Full report : French and German leaders propose rapid trade defense mechanism to counter severe economic imbalances.