Germany backs French push for US-style tariffs and quotas

Germany and several other EU governments are backing a French push for a new EU trade-defense tool that could let the bloc impose tariffs or quotas more quickly on countries such as China, according to reporting published on Wednesday.

The proposal is expected to come up at an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels starting on June 19, 2026. Supporters want a faster instrument than the bloc’s current safeguards, which they say are too blunt because they apply broadly and can hit allies as well as the intended target.

The shift is notable because it brings Germany closer to France on a more interventionist trade posture. The Financial Times reported that France, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium are among the governments backing the idea.

What the proposal would do

The French push is being described as a European version of the US Section 301 approach, which can be used to impose tariffs or import quotas in response to unfair trade practices.

Backers say the EU needs a more targeted way to respond to Chinese industrial overcapacity, especially when cheap imports and supply-chain dependence are squeezing European industries.

The case for a new tool has grown as EU officials and member states look for ways to defend strategic sectors without relying on measures they see as too slow, too broad or too difficult to deploy quickly.

Pressure from China trade data

The proposal comes against a backdrop of worsening trade figures. The Guardian reported on June 15 that the EU’s trade deficit with China reached a record €31.9 billion in April, equal to about €1 billion a day.

European trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič has said the deficit has to be addressed, adding to the political pressure for a response.

The issue is especially sensitive for sectors tied to electric vehicles, chemicals, rare earths and other strategic inputs, where European manufacturers worry about dependence on Chinese supply chains and the impact of low-priced imports.

Commission and legal questions

The European Commission is also considering a separate diversification instrument aimed at reducing dependence on Chinese inputs, including rare earths and car batteries.

It is not yet clear whether the Commission will endorse the new tariff-or-quota tool, the diversification plan, or both.

Another open question is how broad any new powers would be and what threshold would trigger them. Member states still need to agree on the legal design and the level of support for a new trade-defense mechanism.

What comes next

EU leaders are expected to discuss the proposal at the Brussels summit, where the main test will be whether there is enough political backing to move from debate to drafting.

China’s reaction will matter if the idea advances, since a tougher EU instrument would raise the risk of retaliation and deepen tensions between Brussels and Beijing.

The broader trade climate is also shifting. Le Monde reported on June 17 that the European Parliament approved the EU-US Turnberry trade agreement the previous day, underscoring how tariff pressure from major partners is reshaping EU trade policy.

For now, the main question is whether the summit produces agreement on a new instrument, a narrower diversification plan, or both.