Brussels fires starting gun on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation

This may require developing a new instrument to compel companies in critical sectors to expand both the number and the locations of the suppliers they use. Sefcovic is also expected to ramp up the use of safeguard measures in sectors that are under severe pressure from Chinese overcapacity.

Safeguards are faster and broader than anti-dumping or anti-subsidy probes and are difficult for dissenting member states to block, since a qualified majority of capitals is required to obstruct them. They are expected to be used in some chemicals and machinery industries.