EU Raises Stakes With Chinese Medical-Device Probe

Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg’s daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union.

The EU launched a probe into Chinese medical-device procurement, a move prompted by concerns the government in Beijing unfairly favors domestic suppliers and one that risks aggravating tensions ahead of Xi Jinping’s first visit to the bloc in five years next month. First reported by Bloomberg last week, the investigation will focus on collecting information from companies and member states and has to be concluded within nine months. If it confirms a lack of reciprocity, the bloc could restrict Chinese access to its tenders. The EU’s latest move follows a decision last year to begin an anti-subsidy probe into electric vehicles made in China that could see new tariffs introduced by July. Chinese leaders have pushed back against European and US criticism that it has skewed market conditions in favor of its own firms, but that’s done little to dispel skepticism about Beijing’s use of massive public support.