EU doubles down on trade "kill switch" as Beijing warns against pressure

Summary

Beijing has told Brussels not to "fantasise" that pressure will extract concessions, after China made a goodwill gesture in the recent hybrid-car trade deal. The European Union responded by doubling down on a proposed trade "kill switch" that would let the bloc swiftly restrict single-market access in response to economic coercion. The instrument follows a Franco-German proposal, and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says all 27 leaders back it. Chemicals and machinery are named as priority sectors. The South China Morning Post opinion piece argues that the EU is its own worst enemy.

Timeline

1. South China Morning Post

   23 Oct 2026, 12:30 UTCSource ↗

   In an opinion piece, the South China Morning Post reports that Beijing has told Brussels not to "fantasise" that pressure will extract concessions, and that the EU responded to China's hybrid-car goodwill gesture by doubling down on a proposed trade "kill switch".