German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told parliament that the European Union must strengthen its trade tool kit to counter competitive distortions and shore up European security, signaling support for tougher trade measures ahead of the June 18-19 EU summit, though he stopped short of naming China explicitly, Bloomberg reported on June 11. Separately, China abruptly canceled two ministerial-level diplomatic meetings with the European Union without explanation, widely read as a signal of Beijing's displeasure, the Financial Times reported on June 11.