ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - April 26, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - April 26, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• EU Announces Another Trade Investigation into China Regarding Medical Devices
• Belarus Claims Lithuania Launched Drone Strike, Lithuania Firmly Denies Accusation
• Spain’s Prime Minister Halts Public Duties

EU Announces Another Trade Investigation into China Regarding Medical Devices

On April 24, the EU Commission announced an investigation into whether China is unfairly denying EU medical device companies access to the Chinese market. The EU Commission announced the probe to ensure that EU companies are getting the same access to China that Chinese companies are getting in the EU. If the investigation proves that China is unfairly prohibiting EU medical device companies in China, the EU could restrict Chinese companies from selling their products in the EU or enact tariffs that increase the cost of importing from China into Europe. Chinese medical device sales to the EU surged due to the spread of COVID-19 and have remained high since.

Belarus Claims Lithuania Launched Drone Strike, Lithuania Firmly Denies Accusation

On April 25, Belarusian officials claimed the Committee for State Security (KGB) intercepted drone strikes launched from Lithuania. However, Lithuanian officials firmly denied the attack, describing Belarus's claims as "nonsense". The Belarusian reports are likely part of disinformation efforts to foment fear about potential NATO attacks on Russia and Belarus.

Spain’s Prime Minister Halts Public Duties

On April 24, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that he had suspended public duties after a court launched an investigation into his wife, Begoña Gómez, for alleged influence-peddling and corruption. Mr. Sanchez also stated that he is considering resigning from the post of prime minister and will make a final decision on April 29, 2024. This scandal has the potential to further complicate an already delicate moment in Spanish politics, with Catalonia scheduled to hold regional elections in May, followed by European Parliament elections in June. In addition, Prime Minister Sanchez was only re-elected to his post on November 16, 2023, following months of political uncertainty and difficult negotiations. If he resigns, the PSOE-led governing coalition that he currently heads would likely become even more fractious and unwieldy.