Is the EU heading for a trade war with China?

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China has cancelled high-level trade talks with the EU as tensions between Beijing and Brussels grow. German Chancellor Fredrich Merz is the latest European leader to speak out on imposing tougher measures on China. Five other EU countries, led by France, are calling for tougher, US-style trade defences to protect their industries from cheap Chinese imports flooding the continent. The European Commission is now considering new tariffs, stricter import checks and stronger trade protections. China says it's exercising its right to free trade. The EU imports far more from China than it exports, creating a goods trade deficit worth more than $350 billion annually. Industries impacted include electric vehicles, steel, chemicals and solar technology. Chemical producer Vynova says Chinese competition has contributed to a plant closure and job losses. But Europe’s dependence on Chinese manufacturing runs deep. Supply chains built over decades cannot be replaced overnight, making any shift away from China costly and complex. Joining Enda Brady for this discussion: Cindy Yu Columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times Stephen Chan Professor of World Politics at SOAS University of London Shirley Ze Yu Senior Visiting Fellow at London School of Economics Philipp Lausberg Senior Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre #EU #US #tradewar #china #europe #defence Roundtable is a discussion programme with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by Enda Brady, it's about bringing people to the table, listening to every opinion, and analysing every point of view. From fierce debate to reflective thinking, Roundtable discussions offer a different perspective on the issues that matter to you. Watch it every weekday at 15:00 GMT on TRT World.