EU Bans Chinese Firms in Medical Device Contracts

The European Commission has banned Chinese companies from bidding on EU public procurement contracts for medical devices exceeding €5 million, affecting about 60% of the EU's €150 billion medical technology market. This is the first time the EU has used its International Procurement Instrument, targeting China's exclusion of European firms from similar contracts. The ban also limits the share of Chinese-origin components in successful bids to 50%, with exceptions permitted when no viable non-Chinese alternatives exist. EU officials state the measure is intended to ensure fair market access and remain open to dialogue if China addresses the underlying issues. The move further intensifies trade tensions between the EU and China, already strained over electric vehicles and rare earths. China has condemned the action as protectionist and called for cooperation to resolve the dispute.