EU member states are no longer allowed to purchase medical goods from China if the value of the purchase exceeds 5 million euros. This has been decided by the European Commission in response to China’s exclusion of European medical products.
The restriction now imposed by the EU applies to government purchases and covers all medical products. This includes, for example, face masks, plasters, implants and medical robots, an EU source clarifies to news agency ANP.
“The measure is intended to encourage China to end the discrimination against EU companies and medical products produced in the EU,” the Commission reports.
According to Brussels, talks have been held recently, but they have not yielded any results. An exception applies to the purchase of Chinese articles for which there are no alternatives.
Chinese goods have become increasingly important for Europe in recent years. For example, in 2023, EU countries bought twice as many Chinese medical products as in 2015.
Under the new rules, governments can still obtain medical supplies from China, but on a smaller scale than before. Member states must purchase large quantities of medical products outside of China. The new rules will take effect in ten days, the EU source said.