HONG KONG: China’s finance ministry stated on Sunday (Jul 6) it was limiting authorities purchases of medical units from the European Union that exceed 45 million yuan (US$6.3 million) in worth, in retaliation to Brussels’ personal curbs final month.
Tensions between Beijing and Brussels have been rising, with the European Union imposing tariffs on China-built electrical automobiles and Beijing slapping duties on imported brandy from the bloc.
The European Union stated final month it was barring Chinese companies from participating in EU public tenders for medical devices value €60 billion (US$70 billion) or extra per 12 months after concluding that EU corporations weren’t given truthful entry in China.
The measure introduced by the European Fee was the primary below the EU’s Worldwide Procurement Instrument, which entered into power in 2022 and is designed to make sure reciprocal market entry.
China’s countermeasures have been anticipated after its commerce ministry flagged “mandatory steps” in opposition to the EU transfer late final month.
“Regrettably, regardless of China’s goodwill and sincerity, the EU has insisted on going its personal method, taking restrictive measures and constructing new protectionist boundaries,” the commerce ministry stated in a separate assertion on Sunday.
“Due to this fact, China has no alternative however to undertake reciprocal restrictive measures.”
The EU delegation workplace in Beijing didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
