German industry push for EU tariffs on China

In July 2026 the German engineering association VDMA urged the European Union to adopt sector‑wide countervailing duties against Chinese manufacturers, arguing that existing product‑by‑product investigations are too slow to offset what it describes as distorted trade practices. The association also called for the burden of proof to shift to Chinese firms and for broader support measures for European technology.

A week later, the Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI) warned of a “China shock 2.0,” citing China’s undervalued currency, state‑driven overcapacity, raw‑material dependence and technology dominance as new pressures on German industry. The BDI called for reinforced rule‑based trade, faster trade agreements such as the provisional Mercosur deal, and stronger political‑business cooperation to protect German firms.

Together, the statements reflect a growing consensus among German industry groups that existing EU trade tools are insufficient and that more decisive, collective measures are needed to counter perceived unfair advantages from China.