European Union leaders have asked the European Commission to develop stronger instruments to counter China's economic power, with Germany showing signs of support for a harsher stance, reported Arlington, Virginia's Politico.

During a summit dinner in Brussels, leaders requested the Commission to review existing trade defence tools and consider new measures to protect the bloc's interests and reduce dependence on Chinese imports.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said subsidies provided in China were unfair and called the matter urgent. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sought to gauge how far leaders were prepared to accept Chinese retaliation.

Officials said consensus is growing to strengthen trade defences, though new tools would take time to design and pass through legislation. In the short term, leaders want existing instruments used more efficiently.

China has increasingly sold high-end goods such as cars into Europe at low prices, undercutting European producers and driving them out of business. EU leaders said the bloc must respond to protect its industries.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao is scheduled to meet EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic in Brussels at the end of June, as the bloc continues to engage with Beijing while preparing new defensive measures.