Forty-four European industry associations have urged EU members to act immediately against what they call unfair Chinese trade practices threatening manufacturing and jobs. The call, made on October 8, comes a week before EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss a trade deficit with China of more than 1 billion euros a day.

The groups, spanning metals, chemicals and automotive parts, want the EU to use trade defence tools more effectively and look at entire value chains. They also asked the European Commission for more staff to process complaints faster and new tools against state-driven distortions. Leaders will discuss Franco-German proposals for expanded trade defence.

Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is in Beijing seeking Chinese commitments to cut exports to the EU, most likely in hybrid vehicles. The associations said the EU should avoid negative impacts on close European partners such as Britain, Norway and Switzerland. They want trade defence measures deployed more swiftly, with more investigations covering whole sectors.