Latest news with #EU-made
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU plan would limit Chinese device makers in Europe
This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter. European Union member states this week voted to support a plan to adopt measures that would restrict Chinese medical device makers' access to the EU market. The member states took the action, under the EU's International Procurement Instrument, after concluding an investigation in January that looked at China's practices in the public procurement market for medical devices. The investigation found that government practices unfairly encouraged Chinese hospitals to choose domestic manufacturers' products. 'The Commission has identified measures and practices in the Chinese procurement market that lead to discrimination against EU operators and EU-made supplies,' Olof Gill, commission spokesperson, said Thursday in an emailed statement. 'This discrimination also harms both the Chinese healthcare infrastructure, which is deprived of quality equipment, and EU businesses, with a high cost in terms of jobs and economic activity in the EU.' The commission has discussed its concerns with Chinese authorities. However, a satisfactory solution has not been proposed, and the EU had no other option than to tackle the issue through an IPI investigation, Gill wrote. The commission said it could not disclose the content of the draft IPI measure or next steps in the process. Chinese manufacturers would be prohibited from bidding on public procurement contracts worth more than 5 million euros for five years. In addition, no more than 50% of a contract's value may be subcontracted to Chinese entities or include Chinese-origin medical devices, MedTech Europe said in a statement. The trade group said it would provide further updates once the IPI measures are published in the EU's official journal. The EU investigation into China's medical device procurement practices was the first use of the IPI, which was introduced in 2022. Getting fair access to Chinese markets became more challenging for medical device companies after the country launched a program calling for domestically produced medical equipment to achieve 50% market penetration in county-level hospitals by 2020 and 70% by 2025, according to a statement from the European Chamber, which represents European businesses in China. European and Chinese leaders will meet in July at a summit in Beijing. Recommended Reading EU mulls retaliation after showing China's bias against foreign device firms Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Euronews
4 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
EU hits back against 'Buy China' policy in medical devices market
EU member states' representatives voted this week for retaliatory measures against Chinese restrictions on European medical device manufacturers, diplomatic and EU sources confirmed to Euronews. This followed an investigation by the European Commission found "clear evidence" that China unfairly blocked EU-made medical devices from its procurement market. It represents the first countermeasure implemented using an International Procurement Instrument (IPI), which came into force in August 2022, designed to ensure fair access for EU firms to procurement opportunities outside the bloc. Ambassadors adopted the proposal midweek, but the details are expected to be published in the EU's Official Journal in the coming days. 'We had truly hoped that the International Procurement Instrument process would lead to more meaningful dialogue and progress with China, but unfortunately, that hasn't happened yet,' said Oliver Bisazza, CEO of MedTech Europe, the EU's association of medical device manufacturers. Bisazza wants to see the full details before reacting, but he pointed out that medical device companies remain committed to constructive engagement between the EU and China. 'This sector is vital for saving and improving people's lives and maintaining essential healthcare infrastructure, offering crucial services. This is something both parties should consider,' he added. EU companies have long struggled to gain access to China's public procurement market, despite China being one of Europe's largest trading partners for medical devices - accounting for 11% of export destinations in 2022. The Commission's investigation focused on China's government procurement law, which enforces the so-called "Buy China" policy, requiring public entities to prioritise domestic products and services, with limited exceptions. The probe found that EU manufacturers face a range of obstacles, including opaque approval systems, discriminatory certification procedures, vague national interest clauses used to exclude foreign bidders, and pricing pressures that are often unfeasible for European firms. One stark example: in Guangdong Province, the number of 'approved' imported medical devices dropped from 132 in 2019 to just 46 in 2021, highlighting the tightening of market access for EU firms. The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU responded with concern, tweeting that the IPI measures send 'a troubling signal' for bilateral trade ties. In a follow-up statement, the Chamber argued that the targeted use of the IPI risks becoming a de facto trade barrier and urged the EU to reconsider the necessity and long-term impact of such actions. The measures come at a sensitive moment in EU-China relations, which are currently undergoing a tentative diplomatic reset. After years of friction, the two sides have stepped up engagement to manage long-standing disputes. Much of this renewed dialogue is a response to shifting global dynamics, including the Trump-era trade war and broader US-China tensions, which have prompted Brussels to pursue a more balanced approach. A key milestone in this reset is the upcoming EU-China Summit, now confirmed to take place in Beijing in the second half of July 2025. Despite the escalating procurement dispute, a Commission spokesperson downplayed concerns that the IPI measures would damage broader trade relations. 'We've been making very clear to any global partners with whom we believe there is a problem as regards to the level playing field for procurement: should those problems not be removed, we would be forced to take action,' said the spokesperson. On Wednesday, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met with Chinese Minister Wang Wentao on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Council – their third meeting overall and second in person. According to the Commission, the talks covered a wide range of critical bilateral issues as both sides work to ensure progress ahead of the July summit.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump suggests 50% tariff on EU goods starting in June
US President Donald Trump has recommended Friday a 50% tariff on the European Union after complaining that negotiations were not going well and Brussels was 'difficult to deal with'. Trump took to social media to share his thoughts, suggesting the elevated duty to start on 1 June, in less than a month. The US president said he wants to charge higher import taxes on goods from the EU, a long-standing US ally, than from China, a geopolitical rival that had its tariffs cut to 30% this month so Washington and Beijing could hold negotiations. Trump was upset by the lack of progress in trade talks with the EU, which has insisted on cutting tariffs to zero even as the president has publicly insisted on preserving a baseline 10% tax on most imports. 'Our discussions with them are going nowhere,' Trump posted on Truth Social. 'Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% tariff on the European Union, starting on 1 June 2025. There is no tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States.' Since mid-March, the Trump administration has imposed 25% tariffs on EU steel and aluminium, 25% on EU-made cars and 10% on all EU imports. The 10% rate is supposed to remain in place until 8 July, when Trump's 90-day negotiation window expires. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, declined to comment on the US president's words. Previously, the EU had offered a zero-tariff trade deal with the US, but Washington didn't accept that. As part of the current trade negotiations, the European Union and the United States have recently shared position papers that were radically apart, Euronews learnt. In a recent interview with Euronews, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said EU standards on agriculture and food are "not up for negotiation" after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last month criticised EU regulations preventing some US-made meat and chicken from entering the European market due to the use of hormones deemed unsafe by Brussels. The European Commission said that it stands ready to implement up to €95 billion in countermeasures if trade negotiations with the US fail to address the trade deficit. Meanwhile, the European Commission has recently lowered its economic forecast, assuming that the trade tariff on European goods imported by the US would be set at 10% for the long term. The latest forecast said, the GDP in the eurozone is expected to grow by 0.9% and the EU economy to expand by 1.1% this year. That post had been preceded by a threat of import taxes against the US tech giant Apple. Apple now joins Amazon, Walmart and other major US companies in the White House's crosshairs as they try to respond to the uncertainty and inflationary pressures unleashed by his tariffs. 'I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,' Trump wrote. 'If that is not the case, a tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US.' In response to Trump's tariffs on China, Apple and CEO Tim Cook were looking to shift iPhone manufacturing to India as the company adjusts its supply chains. That plan has become a source of frustration for Trump, who also brought it up last week during his Middle East trip. US stock futures sold off after Trump's postings, the main European stock indexes also turned negative, losing between 1%-2.5% by 3 pm CET.
Saudi Gazette
14-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
EU agrees new sanctions on Russia and threatens more if Putin refuses ceasefire
BRUSSELS — The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, threatening to slap on another one if the country continues to refuse the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by the White House and the "Coalition of the Willing". The big push comes as Volodymyr Zelensky challenges Vladimir Putin to sit down for direct peace talks in Turkey, a format endorsed by Donald Trump. So far, the Kremlin has not confirmed whether the Russian president will actually travel to Istanbul. "I believe that if Putin does not arrive and plays games, it is the final point that he does not want to end the war," Zelensky said. The preliminary deal on the new sanctions, the 17th package since February 2022, was sealed on Wednesday morning during a meeting of EU ambassadors and is expected to be formally approved by foreign affairs ministers next week. Hungary, a vocal critic of economic restrictions, which has twice this year almost blocked their renewal, did not oppose the measures. The behind-the-scenes discussions among member states proceeded without any major controversy, diplomats noted, a possible sign of the limited scope of the proposal. "This war has to end. We will keep the pressure high," said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European again, the prime target of the sanctions is the "shadow fleet" that the Kremlin has deployed to circumvent Western restrictions on the oil trade and maintain a source of revenue that is crucial to fund the full-scale invasion of fleet consists of old-age, uninsured ships suspected of deceptive practices, including transmitting falsified data, turning off their transponders to become invisible and conducting multiple ship-to-ship transfers to conceal the origin of their barrels. The vessels are also under scrutiny for engaging in sabotage against critical far, the bloc has targeted 153 tankers from the "shadow fleet", all of which have been denied access to EU ports and new sanctions add almost 200 vessels, bringing the total number to over agreement also blacklists 75 individuals and companies involved in Russia's military industrial complex and over 30 firms suspected of supplying Moscow with dual-use goods that Western allies have prohibited, diplomats said. It also bans the exports of EU-made chemicals that can be used to produce the 17th package almost completed, Brussels is already looking at the next lack of progress on the diplomatic front has fuelled calls across Europe for tightening economic pressure on Russia as a way to force Putin's hand and make him accept a ceasefire. The Kremlin, however, has shown no willingness to engage with this proposal."We can confirm that, in the absence of a ceasefire, (...) we are indeed looking into further sanctions," a Commission spokesperson said on a late-night address, French President Emmanuel Macron name-checked Russia's financial services, oil and gas as potential targets, in coordination with objective is to "achieve a thirty-day ceasefire on land, air and sea to discuss the issue of territories and security guarantees," Macron any new plan, especially if hard-hitting, is poised to face the resistance of Budapest eventually relented and agreed to renew the existing sanctions, Brussels was left rattled by the against-the-clock race and is currently mulling alternative methods to bypass vetoes and ensure the extensive regime can remain in place."We are exploring all options," Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Economy, said on Tuesday."Those are difficult discussions, but so far we were able to agree on a large number of sanctions packages (...) through the unanimity procedure. So we need to have all the tools and all options on the table." — Euronews
Euronews
14-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
EU agrees new sanctions on Russia as Putin refuses ceasefire
The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, threatening to slap on another one if the country continues to refuse the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by the White House and the "Coalition of the Willing". The big push comes as Volodymyr Zelenskyy challenges Vladimir Putin to sit down for direct peace talks in Turkey, a format endorsed by Donald Trump. So far, the Kremlin has not confirmed whether the Russian president will actually travel to Istanbul. "I believe that if Putin does not arrive and plays games, it is the final point that he does not want to end the war," Zelenskyy said. The preliminary deal on the new sanctions, the 17th package since February 2022, was sealed on Wednesday morning during a meeting of EU ambassadors and is expected to be formally approved by foreign affairs ministers next week. Hungary, a vocal critic of economic restrictions which has twice this year almost blocked their renewal, did not oppose the measures. The behind-the-scenes discussions among member states proceeded without any major controversy, diplomats noted, a possible sign of the limited scope of the proposal. Once again, the prime target of the sanctions is the "shadow fleet" that the Kremlin has deployed to circumvent Western restrictions on the oil trade and maintain a source of revenue that is crucial to fund the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The fleet consists of old-age, uninsured ships suspected of deceptive practices, including transmitting falsified data, turning off their transponders to become invisible and conducting multiple ship-to-ship transfers to conceal the origin of their barrels. The vessels are also under scrutiny for engaging in sabotage against critical infrastructure. So far, the bloc has targeted 153 tankers from the "shadow fleet", all of which have been denied access to EU ports and services. The new sanctions add almost 200 vessels, bringing the total number to over 350. Wednesday's agreement also blacklists 75 individuals and companies involved in Russia's military industrial complex and over 30 firms suspected of supplying Moscow with dual-use goods that Western allies have prohibited, diplomats said. It also bans the exports of EU-made chemicals that can be used to produce missiles. With the 17th package almost completed, Brussels is already looking at the next step. The lack of progress on the diplomatic front has fuelled calls across Europe for tightening economic pressure on Russia as a way to force Putin's hand and make him accept a ceasefire. The Kremlin, however, has shown no willingness to engage with this proposal. "We can confirm that, in the absence of a ceasefire, (...) we are indeed looking into further sanctions," a Commission spokesperson said on Tuesday. In a late-night address, French President Emmanuel Macron name-checked Russia's financial services, oil and gas as potential targets, in coordination with Washington. Europe's objective is to "achieve a thirty-day ceasefire on land, air and sea to discuss the issue of territories and security guarantees," Macron said. But any new plan, especially if hard-hitting, is poised to face the resistance of Hungary. While Budapest eventually relented and agreed to renew the existing sanctions, Brussels was left rattled by the against-the-clock race and is currently mulling alternative methods to bypass vetoes and ensure the extensive regime can remain in place. "We are exploring all options," Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Economy, said on Tuesday. "Those are difficult discussions, but so far we were able to agree on a large number of sanctions packages (...) through the unanimity procedure. So we need to have all the tools and all options on the table."
