China curbs EU medical device imports in retaliation for public procurement ban

China has restricted government purchases of European Union-made medical devices worth over 45 million yuan ($6.3 million), in response to EU trade curbs announced last month.

China’s finance ministry on Sunday imposed new restrictions on the procurement of EU-made medical devices in retaliation for the European Union’s recent decision to limit Chinese participation in EU public tenders for medical equipment.

The Chinese restrictions apply to government purchases exceeding 45 million yuan and also target products from third countries if more than 50% of the components originate from the EU. The measures came into effect immediately.

The move follows the EU’s announcement in June to block Chinese firms from tenders worth over €60 billion annually, citing a lack of reciprocal access for European companies in China’s medical device market. The EU action was the first taken under its International Procurement Instrument, aimed at levelling the playing field for public procurement.

China’s commerce ministry criticised the EU’s stance as “protectionist” and said Beijing had no choice but to respond with reciprocal measures, despite earlier efforts to resolve the issue diplomatically.

The restrictions do not apply to products made in China by European companies, the ministry clarified.

The trade dispute comes amid escalating tensions between the two economic powers. The EU recently imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, prompting China to retaliate with duties of up to 34.9% on EU brandy imports—mostly affecting French cognac. Key producers such as Pernod Ricard, LVMH, and Remy Cointreau were exempted from the levies if they adhere to undisclosed minimum pricing terms.

A high-level EU-China summit is scheduled to take place in China later in July.

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