Published on
•Updated
The EU executive will present fresh guidelines on Wednesday meant to reinforce the bloc’s market protection in the face of rising foreign risks.
The doctrine’s launch comes after months of tense exchanges with China, which has restricted exports of rare earths and chips – both crucial to several strategic EU industries.
The EU is also grappling with a sharp shift in the trade policy of its closest ally, the US, whose nationalist, protectionist approach has put Brussels under extreme pressure, resulting in what many see as an unbalanced trade deal reached in July 2025.
While the three pillars of the June 2023 economic security strategy were “promote, protect, partner”, Wednesday’s will be “protect and partner”. New risks will be identified beyond those already covered in sensitive tech sectors such as semiconductors, AI, quantum technology and biotech.
The doctrine will also clarify how best to respond to economic threats using the EU’s existing trade arsenal – not when to use it, which is already set out in EU law.
Anticipating risk
The EU has a wide range of trade defence instruments, from foreign-subsidy and investment screening to anti-dumping duties.
The document is expected to spell out the EU’s response once the Anti-Coercion Instrument – adopted in 2023 – is triggered to counter economic coercion from foreign countries. Its use against China or the US has been heavily debated among member states in recent months, but it has yet to be activated.
Maroš Šefčovič will also stress the EU will be shifting from being reactive to being proactive, a senior Brussels official said.
With China and other major trade powers still favouring their own companies in public procurement, the EU is expected to outline a response that supports European businesses.
EU companies will be closely involved in the doctrine as this is “where the risks actually take place”, the same official said.
The Commission also wants to expand its network across member states to ensure all capacities are mobilised to protect the EU market.
The doctrine should eventually insist on partnering with like-minded countries, such as others in the G7, to assess the risks looking on the new global trade landscape.
