It’s published •update
Representatives of EU countries voted this week in retaliation against China’s restrictions on European medical device manufacturers, diplomatic and EU sources confirmed by Eunews.
This was followed by an investigation by the European Commission, and found “clear evidence” that China had unfairly blocked EU-made medical devices from the procurement market.
This represents the first measures implemented using International Procurement Equipment (IPI) that came into effect in August 2022, designed to allow EU companies to access procurement opportunities outside the bloc with fair access.
The ambassador adopted the proposal mid-week, but details will be published in the official EU journal in the coming days.
“We are pleased to announce that Oliver Bisazza, CEO of MedTech Europe, the EU’s association of medical device manufacturers,” said Oliver Bisazza, CEO of MedTech Europe.
Bisazza wants to see more details before responding, but noted that medical device companies are still committed to constructive engagement between the EU and China.
“This sector is essential to maintaining critical healthcare infrastructure that saves, improves lives and provides critical services, which is something that both parties should consider,” he added.
Mounting barrier
EU companies have long struggled to gain access to China’s public procurement market, despite China being one of Europe’s largest trading partners for medical devices.
The committee’s investigation focuses on the Chinese Government Procurement Act, which requires public agencies to implement a so-called “buy China” policy and prioritize domestic products and services with limited exceptions.
The study found that EU manufacturers face a variety of obstacles, including opaque approval systems, discriminatory certification procedures, ambiguous national interest clauses used to eliminate foreign bidders, and pricing pressures that are often impossible for European companies.
One clear example: Guangdong Province has seen the number of “approved” imported medical devices fall from 132 in 2019 to just 46 in 2021, highlighting the deadline for market access for EU companies.
Fallout for EU-China relations
The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU responded with concern, tweeting that the measurement of IPI sends a “nasty signal” due to bilateral trade ties. In a follow-up statement, the Chamber of Commerce argued that targeted use of IPIs would be a de facto trade barrier, urging the EU to reconsider the need and long-term impact of such action.
The measure comes at a sensitive moment in EU-China relations, which is currently undergoing a temporary diplomatic reset. After years of friction, both sides have strengthened their involvement to manage long-standing conflicts.
Much of this new dialogue is in response to changing global dynamics, such as the trade war during the Trump era and the broader US-China tensions that have been urged to pursue a more balanced approach.
An important milestone in this reset is the upcoming EU-China Summit. It has been confirmed that this will be held in Beijing in the second half of July 2025.
Despite the growing procurement dispute, a committee spokesman downplayed concerns that IPI measures would undermine wider trade relations.
“We have been very clear to global partners who believe there is a problem with the level playing field in procurement. If these issues are not removed, we will be forced to take action,” the spokesman said.
On Wednesday, EU Trade Commissioner Malossiv Chovich met with pastor Wang West China, a bystander of the OECD Ministerial Conference.
According to the committee, the consultation covers a wide range of critical bilateral issues as both parties work to ensure progress ahead of the July summit.
