EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is leading a team to China for two days of talks, aiming for a pilot deal to limit exports of cheap hybrid cars to Europe before an EU leaders' summit in Brussels next week. Hybrids surged after the EU imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024, and Brussels has warned it could impose safeguards such as quotas if Beijing does not restrain shipments. The push comes as Germany and France jointly back a new trade-defence tool, dubbed a "kill switch", to cut access to the single market at short notice, reflecting growing alarm over China's record trade surplus and pressure on European industry.