China, EU Willing to Talk After Brussels Bars Chinese Firms From Medical Device Tenders
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China has accused the European Union of unilaterally erecting new trade barriers and threatened countermeasures after Brussels last week banned Chinese companies and products from taking part in EU government medical device tenders that exceed 5 million euros ($5.8 million).
In a statement released Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that it has found during a January investigation into the investment barriers within the EU, that the bloc has consistently imposed obstacles against Chinese companies in areas such as public procurement.
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- The EU has banned Chinese companies from bidding on public medical device contracts over €5 million, citing China's restrictive market practices.
- China strongly opposes the move, labeling it protectionist, and has threatened countermeasures while expressing willingness for dialogue.
- The ban impacts 60% of the EU's €150 billion medical tech market; negotiations remain possible if China addresses EU market access concerns.
- Chinese companies
- The EU has banned Chinese companies and products from participating in medical device tenders exceeding €5 million due to alleged discriminatory policies. China views this as a new trade barrier, expressing strong dissatisfaction and threatening countermeasures. Beijing urges the EU to correct its practices but remains open to dialogue to resolve economic and trade frictions.
- European enterprises
- European enterprises face obstacles in China's public procurement. The EU aims to level the playing field by excluding Chinese companies from high-value medical device tenders, hoping to encourage fair market access in China for European suppliers. They seek dialogue to resolve trade frictions.
- January 2025：
- China’s Ministry of Commerce conducted an investigation into investment barriers within the EU, finding consistent obstacles against Chinese companies in public procurement.
- As of 2025：
- Tenders of more than 5 million euros accounted for 60% of the total public procurement value in the EU’s 150-billion-euro medical tech sector.
- June 20, 2025：
- The European Commission announced that Chinese companies would be excluded from EU public procurement contracts for medical devices exceeding 5 million euros.
- June 2025：
- The EU officially banned Chinese companies and products from participating in EU government medical device tenders that exceed 5 million euros.
- June 24, 2025：
- China's Ministry of Commerce released a statement expressing strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the EU's ban, threatening countermeasures and urging the EU to correct its actions.
- CX Weekly Magazine
Jun. 27, 2025, Issue 24
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