Von der Leyen Says EU Will Use All Tools to Cut China Trade Deficit

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the EU goods trade deficit with China is now one billion euros a day, has reached a tipping point, and that a second China shock is already here through deindustrialization. She said the imbalance is unsustainable, that dialogue with China must move from promises to results, and stated: "Let me be clear: we will use all the tools at our disposal to rebalance our relationship. Words are good. But deeds are better." The deficit hit around 360 billion euros in 2025. EU leaders in June tasked the Commission to deliver results and secure defensive tools; Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic wants tangible outcomes by October. Von der Leyen also said Europe must urgently procure and build reserves of critical raw materials, notably rare earths, via a new European Corporation on critical raw materials. Rated left, center, and right outlets report the same core figures, quotes, and corporation plan. The right-rated outlet additionally foregrounds possible tariffs and unilateral interventions; the left-rated outlet stresses the rebalance warning and dependency cut. What remains open is whether the October talks produce concrete Chinese concessions or trigger EU trade measures.