European Commission targets rising Chinese imports with new alert system

The European Commission is intensifying efforts to address a growing trade deficit with China, which reached €360 billion in 2025. Denis Redonnet, the Commission’s chief trade enforcement officer, informed the European Parliament that nearly a quarter of all imports into the EU are experiencing “worrying” and “abnormal” growth rates, primarily driven by Chinese goods.

An analysis has identified 902 product categories experiencing rapid import surges alongside falling prices. The most affected sectors include machinery, textiles, basic metals, and chemicals. To combat this, the EU is transforming its import surveillance unit into an early warning system. This mechanism may allow Brussels to launch safeguard investigations, potentially leading to tariffs or quotas, even without formal industry requests.

These developments come ahead of critical trade negotiations in Beijing between European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. The EU currently imports approximately €1 billion more in Chinese goods daily than it exports to the country.