France and Germany Want New Powers to Stop Cheap Chinese Goods

The two countries are calling for a faster way to block imports if they hurt European businesses.

Germany and France are teaming up to change how the European Union handles trade. Right now, they feel the EU is too slow to react when other countries dump cheap goods into the market. They want to create a new "rapid-response" tool. Think of it like a storm gate. If a flood of cheap products from China starts hurting local European businesses, the EU could close the gates quickly to stop them. Currently, it takes a long time for the EU to investigate and decide on new trade rules. By the time they act, local companies often lose a lot of money or go out of business. Leaders, including Ge…