Peter Mandelson, the European Union trade commissioner, warned China on Thursday that the EU could be forced to use anti-dumping measures to defend itself against Chinese exports if Beijing failed to help reduce an “unsustainable” trade deficit rising by €15m ($22.3m) an hour.

Mr Mandelson’s comments reiterated the call he made in Washington this month highlighting Brussels’ concern ahead of a Sino-EU summit in the Chinese capital next week.