China and EU remain divided over medical-device trade

China and the European Union remain deadlocked over trade in medical devices following discussions in Beijing this week, a source told the South China Morning Post. The source said the two sides were nevertheless engaged in intensive consultations over Brussels’ plan to introduce import safeguards against plug-in hybrid electric vehicles made in China. The discussions involved Ling Ji, China’s vice-minister of commerce and deputy international trade representative, and Ditte Juul Jorgensen, the European Commission’s director general for trade and economic affairs.

The source did not provide details of the specific medical-device issues separating Beijing and Brussels or say whether the talks had produced any agreement. The consultations on plug-in hybrids indicate that negotiations are continuing on a separate trade matter. The available report did not specify the proposed safeguards, their timing or the next formal steps expected from either side.