China's Ministry of Commerce responds to the "Europe first" clause in the European Commission's draft "Public Procurement Law"

China News Service, Beijing, September 17 (Reporter Yin Qianyun) Regarding the "Europe First" clause in the European Commission's draft "Public Procurement Law", Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong said in Beijing on the 17th that China will pay close attention to the European legislative process and promptly assess the relevant impacts.

On the same day, the Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference. He Yadong said at the meeting that China has noticed that the European Commission has released a draft legislation for the "Public Procurement Law". The bill sets a "Europe first" clause, and also requires non-market factors such as safety to be included in the bid evaluation criteria to exclude or restrict third-country companies that do not meet the conditions. China is highly concerned about this.

He Yadong said that since the beginning of this year, the EU has successively introduced a number of bills to implement protectionism in the name of network security and industrial development, frequently setting discriminatory clauses and constantly tightening market access conditions. China urges the EU to abide by WTO rules, keep its market open, amend the discriminatory provisions in the bill, and create a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for companies to invest and operate in Europe.

Another reporter mentioned that on September 16, European Commission President von der Leyen delivered the 2026 State of the Union address, mentioning the trade imbalance between China and Europe and "China Impact 2.0", and said that all tools would be used to promote the rebalancing of EU-China relations.

In this regard, He Yadong emphasized that China's position and attitude are consistent and clear. At the same time, we do not engage in "microphone diplomacy" or engage in "wars of words."

According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, on September 17, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao was requested to hold video talks with European Commission Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Sefcovic on China-EU economic and trade issues.