EU Proposes Public Procurement Rules to Counter Chinese Dumping

The European Commission has put forward a proposal to overhaul public procurement rules, aiming to shield European suppliers from what it describes as unfair competition from Chinese firms. The plan, reported by Les Echos and other outlets, would allow local authorities across the bloc to exclude Chinese bidders from public tenders.

According to Les Echos, the initiative is part of a broader "Made in Europe" push designed to counter Chinese dumping practices in public contracts. The measure would give national and regional governments the legal tools to reject offers from Chinese companies when they are deemed to benefit from state subsidies or below-market pricing.

Le Monde reports that the Commission also wants to simplify and "Europeanise" the procurement process, making it easier for member states to coordinate their purchasing decisions. The goal, according to the coverage, is to reduce fragmentation and create a more unified internal market for public works and services.

eu procurement

The proposal marks a significant shift in EU trade policy, which has traditionally favoured open competition. Le Revenu notes that Brussels is now taking direct action to exclude Chinese enterprises from a sector worth hundreds of billions of euros annually. The move follows years of complaints from European manufacturers, particularly in construction, energy, and transport, who argue they cannot compete with state-backed Chinese rivals.

While the plan has yet to be approved by the European Parliament and member states, it signals a clear political direction. The next step will be legislative negotiations, where the details of how and when exclusions can be applied are likely to face scrutiny from free-trade advocates and EU partners.