China’s share of global PPE exports has increased from 60 per cent in January to more than 80 per cent. The country accounts for 96 per cent of medical mask imports by Japan. The reason for increased dependence on China is that the country has expanded its exports to meet the surge in global demand. Major countries rely on China to ensure adequate personal protective equipment. The US government restricted PPE exports from April and exempted additional tariffs imposed on personal protective equipment made in China, which promoted imports.

Although Japan, the US and Europe are concerned about this overdependence on China for life-related medical supplies, and strive to achieve diversification of domestic production and procurement, the threshold is still high. United Nations trade statistics show, as of May, the world trade of the four main items including masks, medical covers, protective clothing, and protective glasses used by medical workers to prevent COVID-19 has increased sharply. Due to this, the dependence of global imports on China increased from 59 per cent in January to 83 per cent in May.