China is hitting back at the EU by limiting state purchases of European medical equipment—think everything from artificial limbs to surgical tools. This comes after Brussels slapped its own restrictions on Chinese imports last month, turning a trade spat into a tit-for-tat showdown.

Editor’s Note: Trade tensions between China and the EU just got messier, and this time it’s hitting a sensitive sector: healthcare. With both sides digging in, businesses that rely on cross-border medical supply chains could face disruptions—and patients might eventually feel the ripple effects. It’s a reminder that geopolitical spats aren’t just about tariffs; they can shape real-world access to critical goods.