Milk in a supermarket aisle in France. PHILIPPE TURPIN / PHOTONONSTOP
Brussels hit back at China on Monday, December 22, for slapping duties of up to 42.7% on some dairy products from the European Union, calling the move "unjustified." The "duty deposits," which range from 21.9% to 42.7%, come into effect on Tuesday.
They hit a range of items including fresh and processed cheese, curd, blue cheese and some milk and cream, the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said in a statement.
Officials launched an anti-subsidy probe in August 2024 after receiving a request from the Dairy Association of China. The probe will conclude in February.
China's commerce ministry said Monday that preliminary findings showed a link between EU subsidies and "substantial damage" to its domestic dairy industry. European officials contested such conclusions. "Our assessment is that the investigation is based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence, and that the measures are therefore unjustified and unwarranted," a European Commission trade spokesperson said. "Right now, the Commission is examining the preliminary determination and will provide comments to the Chinese authorities," he added.
