French Finance Minister Eric Lombard said Europe should tighten tariff barriers to curb a surge in Chinese imports that he warns could erode the continent’s industrial base. Speaking at an economic conference in Aix-en-Provence on Saturday, Lombard argued that Beijing’s production capacity allows Chinese companies to take more than 50% of global market share in a range of sectors, threatening European manufacturers. Lombard noted that the European Union has already imposed duties on Chinese steel and electric vehicles but said current trade-defence rules must be broadened so the bloc can act faster and across more industries. “We must protect our industry in every segment,” he said, adding that excess Chinese output previously destined for the United States is increasingly being redirected to Europe. Industry Minister Marc Ferracci echoed the call, urging Brussels to deploy tougher anti-dumping tools. The French push comes amid escalating tensions: China last week placed anti-dumping tariffs on European brandy, and Beijing is now expected to shorten an upcoming EU summit to one day. Europe’s stance toward Chinese competition is also being reshaped by political shifts in Germany, where a new coalition may align more closely with Paris on trade policy.