The European Union has asked China to voluntarily keep its hybrid vehicle market share in the bloc at about 15%, as Brussels seeks a managed trade arrangement to avert a potentially broader trade conflict. The Financial Times reported that the EU has also pressed Beijing to restrain exports of products including chemicals and increase purchases of European goods. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU's goods trade deficit with China reached €360.6 billion, or about $414.1 billion, last year and widened 9% year-on-year in the first half of this year. Brussels attributes rising Chinese exports of vehicles, batteries and chemicals to overcapacity, while Beijing calls that assessment protectionist. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is leading negotiations, seeking concrete results by October and planning a China visit early next month. The proposed 15% threshold is a requested voluntary limit rather than a confirmed import restriction, and the EU has not disclosed its response should China reject it.