An EU Trade War with China?

American Thinker ^ | 03/16/2026 | Thomas Kolbe

[SeekAndFind]

In an expedited procedure, the European Commission recently raised tariffs on ceramic and porcelain products from China. Additional tariff measures are also being considered to protect the European internal market from the Chinese export engine. Is the EU economy now facing a trade war with Beijing, alongside the potential import halt on rare earths?

Tensions in international trade policy are escalating on multiple fronts. After the U.S. Supreme Court initially declared the tariff regime implemented by President Donald Trump since April of last year unlawful, it appears the administration has explored new ways to stabilize its tariff policy going forward.

The signs on the international trade front continue to point toward turmoil. Not least, it is the ramped-up Chinese export machine that is increasingly in the crosshairs of U.S. protectionism and European defensive measures.

Beijing is using its massive export engine to offset deflationary pressures in its domestic economy -- a result of state-induced capital misallocation and a shrinking population. Through export subsidies and other support measures, the government seeks to stabilize employment while boosting industrial production.

However, this comes at the expense of trade margins and production capacities in other countries, which increasingly fall behind in competition with China.

It was predictable that the still high-purchasing-power internal market of the European Union would attract attention, given the U.S.'s hardline approach. Europe risks becoming a de facto unloading hub for Chinese goods. The consequences are evident in the trade balance, which recorded a deficit of €305 billion for the EU economy last year.

Weakened by its own energy policy and the regulatory framework of the green transition, European manufacturers in nearly all industrial and consumer sectors face the global competitive arena with their backs to the wall. The ongoing deindustrialization has significantly contributed to many European business models losing ground...

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; China; Editorial; European Union; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: belongsinbloggers; bloggers; china; eu; eussr; fourthreich; redchina; tradewar

[SeekAndFind]

Germany, in particular, appears as a sort of laboratory experiment: in trade with China, the country has now become a net importer of capital. The former know-how advantage of German engineering is no longer unassailable -- it seems to be history.

European policymakers now appear determined to pursue a path of protectionism themselves.

[SeekAndFind]

On February 7, 2026, the European Commission adopted Regulation 2026/274, responding to the Chinese export surge with anti-dumping tariffs. The first targeted product group: ceramic and porcelain imports. Around 60% of the assortments in European e-commerce and physical retail come from Chinese production. Tariffs within this group were raised from 18-36% to a consolidated 79%.

The affected products include, among others, tableware and kitchen items made of ceramic, porcelain, and stoneware originating from China. This also includes items such as spice grinders, coffee mills, and pizza stones. The new tariff regime is set to last initially for five years.

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[Tell It Right]

The Europeans always say they hate Trump and his ways .... right before they implement his policies.

[pierrem15]

Several years ago Siemens proudly announced the delivery of the first high-speed train they had built in China for the Chinese market.

The very same day, a Chinese competitor rolled out their model: it was identical to the German train down to the millimeter. The Chinese had stolen everything.

When I was in Poland last year, their market is being flooded with cheap Chinese car imports. If the Europeans don't stop it, they will have no automotive industry left.

[marktwain]

German industry developed in large part because it was protected from competition. English industry declined in large part because it was not protected from American competition. Tariffs ruled US trade for most of the building of American industry.