China Imposes Counter-Sanctions on EU Medical Products

China has announced counter-sanctions against medical products imported from the European Union (EU), responding to recent restrictions imposed by the EU on Chinese suppliers. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce indicated that these measures are necessary to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and to ensure fair competition.

The backdrop to this development is the EU's decision on June 20, which excluded Chinese companies from public tenders for medical products exceeding a value of five million euros. This decision affects a wide range of medical equipment, including ventilators, X-ray machines, sterilization devices, wheelchairs, and various medical supplies such as bandages.

In retaliation, China has implemented a ban on EU companies participating in tenders for medical devices valued over 45 million yuan (approximately 5.3 million euros). It is important to note that this ban specifically targets medical products imported from the EU, while products manufactured by EU firms in China remain unaffected.

The EU's action marks the first application of a sanctions framework introduced in 2022 designed to address discriminatory procurement practices by other nations. The EU Commission justified the exclusion of Chinese suppliers by citing significant imbalances in competitive conditions, noting that nearly 90% of public tenders in China disadvantage European companies.

The Chinese government has expressed strong disapproval of the EU's actions, labeling them as a form of protectionism and accusing Brussels of hypocrisy. Despite China's willingness to engage in dialogue, officials claim that the EU has acted unilaterally, disregarding opportunities for negotiation.

This escalation in trade tensions highlights the growing friction between China and the EU in the realm of international trade and procurement practices, raising concerns about the potential implications for global supply chains in the medical sector.