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China Threatens Countermeasures Over EU “Buy European” Act

4/30/2026

29 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

China warned it will impose measures if the EU does not amend the “Buy European” and cybersecurity legislation.
A Chinese Ministry of Commerce diplomat told Brussels reporters the act is still in legislative stages.
The act would require 70% EU content for electric vehicles and 25% for aluminium and cement in procurement.
China’s Ministry of Commerce called the act discriminatory and said it may breach WTO rules, warning of countermeasures.

History

Historical Context

Since the WTO began operating on 1 January 1995, inheriting GATT’s half-century dispute-settlement rules, it has handled cases such as the 2003 ruling that U.S. steel tariffs violated WTO obligations. Today China warns the EU that its “Buy European” procurement rule for electric vehicles could breach WTO rules, a test intensified by the Appellate Body’s 2019 shutdown.

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Story summary

China warned it will impose measures if the EU does not amend the “Buy European” and cybersecurity legislation.
A Chinese Ministry of Commerce diplomat told Brussels reporters the act is still in legislative stages.
The act would require 70% EU content for electric vehicles and 25% for aluminium and cement in procurement.
China’s Ministry of Commerce called the act discriminatory and said it may breach WTO rules, warning of countermeasures.

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