France, Germany aim to let UK off localization rules for alignment on Chinese-made cars
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks to journalists before European Council meetings on Oct. 15. Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for urgent action to address the EU's trade imbalance. © Reuters
CLEMENT NGU and TAY HAN NEE
October 17, 2026 00:19 JST
Updated on October 17, 2026 03:20 JST
LONDON -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday that the bloc will seek to implement a new trade diversification measure as soon as December to redress a gaping trade imbalance that has given China dominance over many of their manufacturing sectors.