Chinese companies receive up to eight times more subsidies than comparable firms in OECD countries.

Omissions

• The OECD figure is 'three to eight times more government support' — the MEP cites only the top of the range ('up to eight times'), which is the most favourable end for her argument; the lower bound is three times.
• The OECD indicator is 'government support', which is broader than 'subsidies': it includes below-market loans, equity injections and other forms of state-conferred advantage, not just direct budgetary subsidies.
• The OECD describes its own estimate as 'conservative' and the range varies widely by sector (e.g. aerospace two to five times), so a single 'up to eight times' multiple conceals substantial sectoral variation.
• The OECD data covers the period 2005-2024, an average over two decades, not a single-year snapshot of 2026.
• The MAGIC database methodology has been publicly contested (critiques questioning the treatment of below-market credit and firm matching); the OECD's own caveats about measurement limits are not reflected in the claim.

Sources

• PrimaryOECD — Industrial subsidies reach highest levels since the global financial crisis, says OECD (press release)"Between 2005 and 2024, Chinese firms received, on average, three to eight times more government support than firms in OECD countries, depending..."; total subsidies across 15 key industries reached 1.3% of firm revenue, totalling USD 108 billion in 2024.
• PrimaryOECD — MAGIC Database of Industrial Subsidies (full report)"Between 2005 and 2024, Chinese firms received on average three to eight times more government support than firms based in the OECD, a conservative estimate."
• PrimaryOECD — MAGIC Database of Industrial Subsidies dashboard"Between 2005 and 2024, Chinese firms received on average three to eight times more government support than firms based in the OECD, a conservative estimate." / "Industrial firms in China receive more subsidies than their competitors elsewhere."
• SecondaryInformation Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) — Fact of the Week"Between 2005 and 2024, Chinese firms received, on average, three to eight times more government support than firms based in OECD economies"
• SecondaryNikkei Asia — Chinese companies receive up to 8 times more subsidies than OECD peers"By geographic location, Chinese companies consistently stood out as the largest recipients of subsidies across virtually all 15 sectors."