In a bid to safeguard domestic manufacturers and ensure fair competition, the European Union (EU) has initiated a series of investigations into China’s procurement practices and subsidy schemes. The European Commission, tasked with carrying out these inquiries, aims to curb market distortion and prevent unfair advantages for Chinese companies operating within the EU.

The investigations cover a broad spectrum of industries, including medical devices, wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles. One focal point of the probes is China’s procurement of medical devices, with the EU potentially restricting China’s access to public tenders if policies are found to favor domestic suppliers unfairly.

In the realm of renewable energy, the EU is scrutinizing subsidies received by Chinese suppliers of wind turbines destined for European markets. The investigation extends to wind park development projects in several EU countries, prompting China to label the probe as “discriminatory” and endorsing protectionism.

Regarding solar energy, the European Commission has opened two investigations under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) into potential excessive subsidies benefiting Chinese bidders in a public tender for a solar power park in Romania. The Commission’s decision on this matter is expected by August 14, with possible actions including blocking the contract or accepting commitments from the involved companies to eliminate competition distortions.

Furthermore, the Commission has announced an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), aiming to determine whether Chinese exports to the EU market are unfairly benefiting from subsidies. Despite objections from China, the investigation, launched in October, is set to last up to 13 months, with provisional anti-subsidy duties potentially imposed nine months into the probe.

These investigations underscore the EU’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field in international trade and safeguarding the interests of European industries against unfair competition practices.