EU import curbs covering sectors including chemicals, furniture and machinery could be proposed as soon as the first quarter of 2027, as the European Union considers further safeguards affecting goods from China. The measures remain under discussion and could take the form of quotas or tariffs, according to people familiar with the plans.

Key Takeaways

  • The sectors and measures could change following discussions with EU member states and China.
  • The proposed safeguards would also apply to countries outside the European Economic Area, the people said.
  • A separate cap on hybrid vehicle imports is planned to take effect in December 2026.

How the EU import curbs could work

Safeguard measures allow the EU to restrict products from a sector when imports into the bloc have surged. The commission has begun assessing trade data to identify where that has happened.

The measures could include import quotas or tariff-rate quotas, which impose a levy on imports above a specified volume. The EU can introduce safeguards without China’s agreement, although the people familiar with the plans cautioned that both the measures and targeted sectors could change.

The people said the safeguards would comply with World Trade Organization rules and apply to other countries outside the European Economic Area, not just China. No effective date for the new measures has been confirmed.

Hybrid vehicle cap provides a model

The commission is seeking to replicate its agreement with Beijing to cap imports of hybrid vehicles from China at 350,000 cars a year. It plans to propose implementation measures in the coming weeks so the cap can enter into force in December 2026, according to some of the people.

Those measures would run for four years, with China’s quota rising by 6% a year after the first year. Quotas for vehicles from other countries, including Japan and South Korea, would follow a similar approach, one person said.

Trade deficit and next steps

The EU’s trade deficit with China reached €360 billion in 2025. EU leaders urged the commission at an October summit to act across economic sectors and develop powers to help reduce the deficit and deter retaliation.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier in October that European industries had called for action and that the EU would respond, including with more safeguards. China’s Commerce Ministry warned the EU not to underestimate China’s ability to protect its interests.

The commission also plans to present proposals before mid-December for a supply-diversification tool and an instrument to respond more rapidly to aggressive trade actions.

Next milestone

EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic is due to discuss progress and next steps with Chinese counterparts early in 2027.

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