The EU Chamber of Commerce in China said reports that some EU member states are pressing the European Commission to fast-track an EU "301"-style unilateral trade tool are a cause for concern. The Chamber warned such a measure could raise serious WTO compatibility issues, weaponize trade and add fresh uncertainty to China-EU and global supply chains, with negative implications for industry, investment and market stability. It said unilateral measures would not resolve structural European problems

2026-09-30

The EU Chamber of Commerce in China said reports that some EU member states are pressing the European Commission to fast-track an EU "301"-style unilateral trade tool are a cause for concern. The Chamber warned such a measure could raise serious WTO compatibility issues, weaponize trade and add fresh uncertainty to China-EU and global supply chains, with negative implications for industry, investment and market stability. It said unilateral measures would not resolve structural European problems—high energy costs, underinvestment, weak innovation—and urged preservation of a WTO-based multilateral trade system to avoid a damaging race to the bottom.