China Responds to EU Ban by Restricting European Companies from Medical Procurement

China has implemented new restrictions on European companies participating in large-scale public tenders for medical equipment, according to reports from the AFP news agency. Under the new rules, European firms that are not established within China will be excluded from bidding on government contracts for medical supplies valued above 45 million yuan, which is approximately 6.3 million euros.

This measure comes as a direct response to a recent decision by the European Union to bar certain Chinese companies from major medical procurement processes within the EU. The development marks the latest escalation in ongoing trade tensions between China and the European Union, with both sides accusing each other of limiting access to their respective markets for foreign businesses.

The dispute reflects broader concerns over market access and fair competition, which have been central issues in trade relations between the two economic blocs. Both the EU and China have taken steps in recent years to protect their domestic industries, leading to a series of reciprocal measures affecting various sectors.