Which EU countries are planning to request import safeguards on chemicals and plastics, and which specific products are targeted?

France, Italy, and likely Germany—the EU's three largest economies—are planning to submit requests for broad import quotas (safeguards) on polymer resin polyethylene terephthalate (PET), epoxy resin, and glass fibres. These requests aim to protect the EU chemicals and plastics sectors from surging imports, primarily from China.

How do EU safeguards differ from other trade defence measures like anti-dumping tariffs, and why has the EU historically avoided using them?

Unlike narrowly targeted anti-dumping or countervailing tariffs—of which the EU has over 150 in force—safeguards are more wide-ranging: they impose tariffs on volumes exceeding set quotas and apply to all trading partners, including those with free trade agreements like Japan or Canada. The EU has historically avoided safeguards because many member states view them as protectionist; until recently, the qualified majority threshold required for approval (at least 15 countries representing 65% of the EU’s population) was considered politically unattainable.

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European nations urge the EU to impose import safeguards on chemicals and plastics to protect domestic industries from surging Chinese imports amid a severe sector crisis. Major players like BASF face job cuts as trade tensions escalate over key chemical and plastic products.

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EU Countries Plan Import Curbs on Chemicals and Plastics

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