EU leaders at the Oct. 15-16 European Council asked the European Commission to propose by the end of the year a retaliatory instrument of last resort allowing the bloc to close its single market to countries engaging in unfair trade practices or coercion, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 15. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Brussels is also prioritizing safeguards on chemicals and machinery, while leaders asked for robotics, solar, wind and medical equipment to be covered as well.