The European Union (EU) does not wish to enter a trade war with China, but five years of negotiations have shown no tangible progress, stated Jorge Toledo, the EU ambassador to China, on Saturday.
Toledo emphasized the growing concerns over market access for European medical equipment in China.
Trade disagreements between the EU and China have significantly intensified over the past year. The EU launched an investigation into Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports, prompting Beijing to retaliate by probing European dairy and pork industries and restricting imports of European spirits.
Last week, new EU tariffs of up to 45.3% on Chinese electric vehicle imports came into effect.
In addition, the EU initiated an investigation in April into China’s public procurement practices for medical devices, a move that drew criticism from Beijing.
Speaking at an event in Shanghai, Toledo mentioned discussions with European medical equipment manufacturers, revealing that they felt discriminated against in Chinese public procurement.
“We’ve understood, and it is clear… European companies producing medical devices in China over the last two decades are being discriminated against compared to their Chinese competitors in public procurement processes,” Toledo declared.
“If this is true, and we know it is, we will reciprocate by treating Chinese companies similarly in Europe,” he added.
However, he clarified, “We do not want a trade war. We simply demand transparency.”
