Thursday, May 14, 2020
Did China slow exports of medical equipment after complaints from other countries about quality?
China in April took steps that resulted in slower exports of medical equipment, primarily due to concerns over quality raised by European governments.
On April 10, China's customs administration announced that it would inspect every shipment of medical equipment for compliance with quality standards, resulting in processing delays. Authorities announced further measures later in the month to manage the flow of goods.
Other factors contributing to delays included a surge in demand for personal protective equipment in China and abroad and a lack of air cargo capacity.
Sources
- China Customs: Moves to ensure quality of exports
- Library of Congress: Law.gov report on Chinese exports of medical supplies
- Perma: Archive of Chinese Commerce Ministry April 27 statement on quality oversight
- Peterson Institute for International Economics: Overview of China's medical supply exports
- Al-Jazeera: Video shows huge medical equipment backlog in China
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