The European Commission decided on Friday to exclude Chinese companies from public contracts for medical equipment exceeding 5 million euros.
Brussels – Acting in retaliation to restrictions affecting European firms in the Chinese market, the Commission plans to ban Chinese companies from selling health materials to public administrations, ranging from masks and bandages to machines and robots, which represent a market of 150 billion euros.
It “aims to encourage China to end its discrimination against medical devices manufactured in the EU,” according to a statement.
The Union believes that its public tenders are open to 95% competition from the rest of the world, while European companies have virtually no access to Chinese public markets.
After a year of fruitless negotiations, the Commission, which manages trade policy, has therefore decided to take action.
“Our goal is to ensure fair conditions for EU companies. We remain committed to dialogue with China to resolve these issues,” emphasized European Commissioner for Trade, Maros Sefcovic.
Beijing claims that the EU is moving towards protectionism. (June 20, 2025)
