Bloomberg: EU Prepares Restrictions On Imports Of Chinese Hybrid Vehicles

• 7.10.2026, 19:15

The EU's trade deficit with China exceeds €1 billion per day

The European Union is considering temporary restrictions on imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles to reduce its trade deficit with China. One possible measure could be tariff quotas, under which imports exceeding a set volume would be subject to an additional levy. This was reported by Bloomberg citing sources.

According to their information, the European Commission may use restrictions on hybrid vehicles as a pilot project and then extend this approach to other sectors where trade imbalances exist. No decision has been made yet, and it may change following talks between European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao in Beijing, sources note.

EU leaders will discuss the situation and possible new trade measures in mid-October. By the end of the year, the European Commission is expected to present measures to reduce the imbalance and diversify supply chains.

Meanwhile, Politico also reports that the European Parliament is preparing to vote on a report regarding EU-China political relations. According to the publication, the report by the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs views Beijing not only as an economic challenge but also as a geopolitical threat to European security. It also calls for a tougher approach toward China beyond the realm of trade policy.

MEPs attribute this, in particular, to tensions surrounding Taiwan.

Beijing opposes any potential restrictions and claims that they violate WTO rules and the principles of fair competition. China proposes replacing tariffs on electric vehicles with price commitments—a mechanism for controlling total export volumes by setting minimum prices.

Currently, the EU’s trade deficit with China exceeds €1 billion per day.