{
  "id": 12176832,
  "title": "Germany and France agree new trade tool to counter China",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/germany-and-france-agree-new-trade-tool-to-counter-china-12176832",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-05T14:43:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews Business",
    "slug": "euronews-business",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/05/germany-and-france-agree-new-trade-tool-to-counter-china"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "France and Germany have proposed new EU powers to counter trade distortions posed by China, as the European Union faces mounting pressure from the Asian giant. In a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the leaders called for tools to limit market access, diversify supplies and prepare for potential retaliation. The EU's trade deficit with China is estimated at €1 billion per day, and Berlin and Paris have given Beijing until this month to offer concessions. The proposal will be discussed at next week's European Council summit. New tools would be activated when third countries undermine fair market conditions, allowing the Commission to act swiftly through a comitology procedure. Paris and Berlin also want a diversification instrument to reduce dependence on Chinese imports and prevent emerging supply chain risks. Finally, the proposal calls for measures to strengthen trade defences, such as increasing the use of existing trade defence tools and broadening sector-wide trade dispute rules.",
  "summary": "Paris and Berlin call for a new EU \"systemic reaction\" tool that would let Brussels move fast to counter China-driven market distortions, as well as retaliation planning and a revamp of trade defence tools.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/12176832.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "China, Philippines trade accusations over South China Sea aircraft encounter",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/china-philippines-trade-accusations-over-south-china-sea-aircraft",
        "published": "2026-10-05T13:26:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Germany and France agree new trade tool to counter China",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/germany-and-france-agree-new-trade-tool-to-counter-china",
        "published": "2026-10-05T14:43:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "France, Germany want new EU trade tools against China",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/france-germany-want-new-eu-trade-tools-against-china",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:28:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "France, Germany seek new EU rapid response tool against trade threats",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/france-germany-seek-new-eu-rapid-response-tool-against-trade-threats",
        "published": "2026-10-05T17:01:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}