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EU to broaden import quotas and tariffs against China, official tells FT - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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EU to broaden import quotas and tariffs against China, official tells FT

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 28, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: May 28, 2026

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EU to Widen Import Tariffs and Quotas on Chinese Goods to Protect Industries

EU's Strategy to Shield Key Industrial Sectors

Broader Use of Import Quotas and Tariffs

May 28 (Reuters) - European Union industry chief Stephane Sejourne said Brussels would broaden import quotas and tariffs against China to shield certain industrial sectors from what the bloc sees as an "existential" threat from Chinese imports, in comments to the Financial Times published on Thursday.

Safeguard Clauses for Sector-Wide Protection

"We will use safeguard clauses in a more general manner on sectors and not just on businesses or particular raw materials," Sejourne told the FT, adding that European industries such as chemicals, metals and clean technology were at risk of being destroyed by unfair Chinese competition.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Key Takeaways

  • EU industry chief Stéphane Séjourné told the FT that safeguard clauses will now apply broadly by sector, not just individual firms or raw materials, to protect chemicals, metals and clean tech industries from unfair Chinese competition. (euronews.com)
  • In April 2026 the EU agreed to revamp its steel safeguard framework—cutting import quotas by around 47% and raising out‑of‑quota tariffs to 50%—as part of broader efforts to shield strategic sectors from Chinese overcapacity. (consilium.europa.eu)
  • These initiatives align with other pending measures: EU talks include forcing diversification of suppliers, a ‘Made in Europe’ preference strategy, and preparation of fallback tools like the Anti‑Coercion Instrument to counter economic pressure from China. (marketscreener.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the EU broadening import quotas and tariffs against China?
The EU aims to protect its industrial sectors from what it calls an 'existential' threat posed by Chinese imports and unfair competition.
Which sectors in Europe are considered at risk from Chinese imports?
European industries such as chemicals, metals, and clean technology are at risk of being severely impacted by Chinese competition.
What strategy will the EU use to implement these protective measures?
The EU will apply safeguard clauses more generally, targeting sectors rather than just individual businesses or raw materials.
Who announced these new protective measures against Chinese imports?
EU industry chief Stephane Sejourne announced the broader use of import quotas and tariffs in comments to the Financial Times.

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