BRUSSELS — The European Union announced on Wednesday an investigation into whether China is using unfair methods to deprive companies in Europe of access to its market for medical devices ranging from hypodermic needles to high-tech scanners.
The commission said it has gathered evidence indicating that China’s market has gradually closed to European firms and products made in the EU. It asserts that measures introduced by China “unfairly differentiate” between local and foreign companies. It did not quantify the effects on European businesses.
The commission is hopeful that no action will be needed. It says the main aim is to win fair treatment for all sides. “Our expectation is that China’s market for public procurement will be as open to us as ours is to them. Simple. Nothing more, nothing less,” spokesman Olof Gill told reporters.“The EU has always touted itself as the most open market worldwide, but what we see now is that it is gradually moving towards protectionism,” ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.