Bangladesh, Oct. 8 -- France and Germany once presented themselves as guardians of Europes open economic order. Now, the continents two most influential powers appear increasingly eager to turn trade protectionism into a weapon.

That is not merely a policy adjustment. It is a profound contradiction.

According to media reports, France and Germany have submitted an informal paper to the European Commission calling for stronger EU trade-defense instruments. The proposal reportedly seeks to give Brussels new powers to restrict or even revoke access to the EU single market for countries accused of engaging in “systemic market-distorting practices.” It also proposes mechanisms designed to reduce European companies dependence on si...