European Commission Proposes Measures to Counter Unfair Competition
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced new measures to counter unfair competition and cheap imports from China to protect European industries.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Brussels, October 21 (KUNA) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday that the Commission will propose new measures to protect the European Union from unfair competition stemming from cheap imports, enabling member states to immediately restrict access to the single market when sudden surges in such imports threaten European industries.
Speaking before the European Parliament, von der Leyen said the EU’s competitiveness depends on enabling its companies to compete on a level playing field in global markets. She noted that industrial overcapacity and unfair market practices distort competition, pressure European industries, and lead to job losses.
She added that the EU’s trade deficit with China reached approximately 1 billion euros per day in 2025, a situation she deemed unsustainable, particularly given that Chinese companies receive support up to eight times greater than that received by comparable firms in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
Von der Leyen clarified that the EU would continue to rely on dialogue with trading partners but would be ready to act when dialogue fails to yield desired results, including the use of trade defense instruments and necessary safeguards to respond swiftly to sudden import surges threatening European industries.
She announced that the Commission would also propose a solidarity package to assist member states facing specific trade threats, emphasizing the need for unified European efforts to counter economic pressures. She stated that Europe must “in a world where economic leverage is increasingly used as a weapon, deploy its economic strength to defend its interests collectively.”
The Commission will also present a package in December to help companies diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on single suppliers in critical sectors, thereby enhancing the EU’s capacity to withstand economic and geopolitical pressures. (End) ARN / T.M.A
