China warns EU not to ‘fantasise’ on trade approach as Brussels confirms new ‘kill switch’

Beijing has warned the European Union not to expect that taking a hard line will force concessions on trade. The warning comes as Brussels confirmed plans for a new "kill switch" mechanism designed to immediately exclude China from the single market.

The exchange follows tensions between the two trading partners, highlighting a hardening stance from Brussels regarding access to its internal market and Beijing's resistance to external economic pressure.