The European Union condemned China’s imposition, on Monday, of temporary tariffs on “some dairy products” imported from the European Union, in the latest chapter of a trade dispute spanning from food to electric vehicles.
Chinese authorities opened an anti-subsidy investigation in August 2024 based on a request from the China Dairy Association. While the investigation is scheduled to conclude in February, the Ministry of Commerce stated that preliminary findings linked subsidies granted by the European Union to “serious damage” to the domestic dairy industry.
In response, a spokesperson for the European Commission stated, “Our analysis is that this investigation is based on questionable claims and insufficient evidence, and therefore the measures are unjustified and groundless.”
The Chinese tariffs, ranging from 21.9% to 42.7%, come into effect on Tuesday. They target a range of products including fresh and processed cheeses, blue cheese, and certain types of milk and cream, among others, as announced by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce in a statement.
The tariffs on dairy products come one week after Beijing announced the imposition of anti-dumping duties on pork imports from the European Union for a period of five years.
Those duties have been in effect since December 17th, ranging from 4.9% to 19.8 percent, a decrease from the provisional duties of 15.6% to 62.4% that had been applied since September.
European Union
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries, established after World War II to foster economic cooperation and prevent future conflict. Its foundations were laid with the 1951 European Coal and Steel Community, which evolved through key treaties into the modern EU, featuring a single market and a common currency used by many member states.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which reflect its long imperial past and profound cultural achievements.
China Dairy Association
The China Dairy Association is a national industry organization established in 1984 to represent and support China’s dairy sector. It plays a key role in promoting industry standards, technological advancement, and market development within the country.
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing EU policies. It was established in 1958 as part of the then-European Economic Community to act as a guardian of the EU treaties and promote the general interest of the Union.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It served as the imperial capital for several dynasties, most notably the Ming and Qing, and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, it is a major global city and the political, cultural, and educational center of the country.
