Emboldened EU readies China company ‘kill switch’ as Beijing warns Brussels not to ‘fantasise’

Emboldened by a recent deal capping hybrid car exports, the EU is preparing to accelerate a crackdown on Chinese trade practices. Backed by a dramatic pivot from Germany, Brussels is developing a new “kill switch” that could immediately kick Chinese companies out of the single market if Beijing is deemed to be engaging in economic coercion. In response, Beijing has warned the bloc not to “fantasise” that a hardline approach will force it into further concessions.