MEP Mariusz Kamiński (ECR) has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission, demanding action to prevent Chinese state-owned enterprises from winning EU-funded infrastructure projects under the Global Gateway strategy. Kamiński argues that European taxpayers' money is financing China's supply chains and geopolitical ambitions, citing a recent case in Dakar, Senegal, where a Chinese company is poised to win a €320 million EU-funded bus contract. The question, filed on 28 May 2026, targets a perceived gap in EU rules: while the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) can block Chinese state-backed bids within the EU—as seen when CRRC was excluded from a Portuguese tender, allowing Polish firm PESA to win—the FSR does not apply to EU-funded projects in third countries.
he asks the Commission how it intends to prevent such situations from recurring, implying a need to extend FSR-like scrutiny or introduce new safeguards for Global Gateway projects. The MEP frames the issue as a systemic failure, warning that Chinese companies like CRRC are instruments of state policy, not profit-driven, and that their wins in EU-funded tenders perpetuate Beijing's technological standards and long-term dependencies.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it sees a need to tighten procurement rules for EU external spending or considers existing instruments sufficient. The question impacts EU construction and transport companies competing in third markets, EU taxpayers funding projects that may indirectly support Chinese industry, and the credibility of the Global Gateway as a strategic alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Stakeholder impacts - EU infrastructure and transport firms: face continued competitive disadvantage in EU-funded third-country tenders if Chinese state subsidies remain unchecked; a positive Commission response could level the playing field. - EU taxpayers: risk financing Chinese supply chains and strategic goals rather than EU economic interests; new rules could redirect funds to European contractors. - Chinese state-owned enterprises (e.g., CRRC): would face new barriers to accessing EU-funded projects abroad, limiting their market expansion and geopolitical influence. - EU institutions (Commission): must balance trade openness with strategic autonomy; extending FSR-like rules could complicate diplomatic relations with China and increase administrative burden.
65 — a targeted parliamentary question on a specific policy gap, but with implications for EU strategic autonomy and external spending credibility.