EU leaders have asked the European Commission to assess global trade imbalances and to propose tools for protecting the European economy.

The leaders of the European Union, meeting in Brussels, have asked the European Commission to analyze global trade imbalances and assess the need for new trade instruments to protect the European economy. Although China was not explicitly mentioned, discussions focused on the trade relationship with this country, considering that the EU's trade deficit with China has reached one billion euros per day. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized that European companies are slowly progressing in diversifying supply chains, a problem exacerbated by restrictions imposed by Beijing on the export of critical minerals. Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, highlighted the importance of dialogue with China but warned that the current trade deficit is unsustainable. European leaders agreed on solidarity in the face of economic reprisals from certain third countries, and the European Commission hopes that the prospect of legislative measures will encourage companies to accelerate diversification.