France is calling on the European Union to expand and intensify tariffs on Chinese imports, warning that China’s industrial overcapacity poses a serious threat to Europe’s economic foundation.
Speaking at the Aix-en-Provence Economic Conference, French Finance Minister Eric Lombard emphasized that the EU must move beyond sector-specific measures to implement broader trade defenses.
"In the world we are in today, we must protect our industry," Lombard said. "We must do it across all industrial segments, or China's strategy of building over 50 percent of global production capacity in every sector will kill our industry."
Existing Measures Seen as Inadequate
The EU has already taken action in sectors like steel and automobiles, including anti-dumping duties of up to 45% on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024. These tariffs were a response to China's state subsidies and aggressive export practices.
However, Lombard warned that current trade rules are too narrow and slow to respond to China’s long-term strategies. He called for faster, more flexible tools to combat economic distortions caused by China's export-driven model.
US Trade Policies Shift Pressure to Europe
French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci added another layer of concern, noting that Chinese exports once aimed at the U.S. are now flooding into Europe due to American trade restrictions.
"China has built overcapacities in a wide array of industries, and that makes it quite dangerous for our industries," Ferracci said, cautioning that European markets could be swamped with cheap Chinese goods, undermining local producers and distorting competition.
A Call for Unified EU Action
Both ministers emphasized that Europe must act collectively to protect its economic sovereignty. The appeal reflects growing concern across the EU about China’s expanding footprint in global manufacturing and its impact on European jobs and innovation.
VietnamSteel by Hoa Sen Group
