EU to discuss potential restrictions on Chinese imports amid fears of overreliance

Concerns among commissioners in bloc that surge in imports could lead to decline similar to that of US rust belt towns

EU commissioners will meet on Friday for crunch talks aimed at imposing new restrictions on imports from China amid growing concern that Beijing is fuelling conditions for US-style rust belt towns in Europe.

The surge in imports of everything from electric cars to key components in machines, medical devices and food stuffs has been dubbed China Shock 2.0, potentially mirroring the experience in the US 25 years ago when Beijing joined the World Trade Organization.