Securing the EU’s Medical Supply Chains: Setting the Legal and Economic Scene for Achieving Import Diversification

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union (EU) initiated the European Health Union (EHU) to fortify medical supply chains, aligning with broader economic security goals. Geopolitical tensions prompted the EU to adopt a package of initiatives centred on ‘open strategic autonomy’. This paper explores the legal and economic mechanisms for securing medical supply chains, focusing on theWorld Trade Organization (WTO) framework and identifying critical import dependencies. Findings reveal a need for an economic approach to supplement WTO rules. A methodology for identifying vulnerable medical commodities is presented, emphasising risk assessment and import diversification. The study highlights the potential repercussions of export restrictions on medical goods, stressing the importance of securing supply chains. The paper concludes with recommendations for the EU to navigate legal and economic strategies for robust medical supply chains.