The European Union has imposed a ban on Chinese firms participating in government medical device procurements worth over €5 million ($5.8 million).
This retaliatory move is in response to China's longstanding restrictions on European firms accessing its public procurement market.
The ban applies to a wide range of medical supplies, including surgical instruments, diagnostic devices, and X-ray machines, within a €150 billion market sector across the EU.
The EU will limit Chinese content in successful bids to no more than 50%.
Nearly 90% of Chinese government contracts for medical devices exclude or discriminate against European-made products.
EU Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič stated that the aim is to level the playing field for EU businesses while remaining committed to dialogue with China.
“Our aim with these measures is to level the playing field for EU businesses,” said EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. “We remain committed to dialogue with China to resolve these issues.”
The measure seeks to incentivize China to cease discriminating against EU firms and EU-made medical devices.
The EU launched an investigation into China's public procurement practices for medical devices in April 2024.
This move is part of ongoing economic disputes between Brussels and Beijing, following tensions in sectors like electric vehicles and solar panels.
China has accused the EU of protectionism, while the EU aims to defend its industries from unfair competition.
The timing of the decision adds to an already complex global trade environment, with ongoing tensions between the EU and the United States under President Donald Trump, who has imposed sweeping tariffs on global imports, including from Europe.
