The European Commission proposed legislation to privilege European suppliers in strategic public services contracts. The measure specifically targets Chinese companies operating in this sector.
The EU executive announced this proposal as a way to protect European interests in the public procurement market. The legislation would allow excluding or making it difficult for Chinese companies to participate in public tenders considered strategic.
The annual market in question represents about 2 billion euros. This amount reflects the size of the public services contracts covered by the proposal.
The European Commission justifies the measure with security and economic sovereignty concerns. The proposal is part of a broader trend of strengthening European industrial policy in the face of international competition.
