European Union leaders agree to strengthen the bloc’s trade defences in response to what Brussels describes as a surge in Chinese exports that it says threatens European industry. The decision comes as EU concerns grow about its economic dependence on China. France 24 reports that the EU’s goods trade deficit with China reaches about 360 billion euros in the latest year cited, underscoring the scale of the imbalance. The leaders also emphasize that the approach is not aimed at ending engagement with Beijing. They maintain the intention to keep a “constructive dialogue” with China alongside the trade measures. RFI similarly describes the matter as a debate among EU leaders on whether additional trade defences are needed to address Chinese export dominance and the potential impact on European jobs and industry. Taken together, the reports indicate that EU member states are aligning on a tougher trade posture while continuing diplomatic and commercial engagement with China.