HONG KONG: China’s finance ministry mentioned 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 mentioned final month it was barring Chinese companies from participating in EU public tenders for medical devices price €60 billion (US$70 billion) or extra per yr after concluding that EU companies weren’t given truthful entry in China.
The measure introduced by the European Fee was the primary beneath the EU’s Worldwide Procurement Instrument, which entered into power in 2022 and is designed to make sure reciprocal market entry.
China’s countermeasures had been anticipated after its commerce ministry flagged “needed steps” towards 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 mentioned in a separate assertion on Sunday.
“Due to this fact, China has no selection however to undertake reciprocal restrictive measures.”
The EU delegation workplace in Beijing didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
