EU trade policy

EU 1, China 1 — The Rapid-Fire Tool: Paris and Berlin build a single-market guillotine for Beijing

By Peter Wilding,

Published on Oct 7, 2026   —   6 min read

ChinaFranceGermanysingle markettrade defenceMaros Šefčovičsupply chains
Port container terminal representing EU–China goods trade

Summary

Paris and Berlin want a faster trade weapon. Beijing points to the ties that bind. With a €103 billion quarterly goods deficit in the background, can Europe defend its market without hurting its own factories?

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