China announced this Monday (22) that it would apply temporary customs duties on certain “dairy products” from the EU (European Union), a measure that has increased trade tensions with the bloc, which considers the measures “unjustifiable”.
The taxes vary between 21.9% and 42.7%, come into force this Tuesday (23) and affect a series of products, including fresh and processed cheese, blue cheese and certain types of milk and cream, according to the Beijing Ministry of Commerce.
Chinese authorities launched an investigation into product subsidies in August 2024 following a request from the China Dairy Association. The investigation will conclude in February.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said preliminary findings indicate a link between EU subsidies and “substantial damage” to the domestic dairy industry.
European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill, however, said the EU executive’s analysis “is that this investigation is based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence and therefore the measures are unjustifiable and unfounded.”
The announcement by Chinese authorities comes after Beijing last week adopted “anti-dumping duties” on pork imports from the EU for a period of five years.
The rates took effect on December 17 and range from 4.9% to 19.8%, a reduction from the temporary rates of 15.6% to 62.4% in effect since September.
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