China has announced tariffs of up to 42.7% on EU dairy products, citing damage to its domestic industry from EU subsidies, following an anti-subsidy investigation. The tariffs will take effect on April 23 and vary based on cooperation with the investigation, affecting products like cheese, milk, and cream. This move is part of broader trade tensions between China and the EU, which recently saw China cut pork import duties and impose tariffs on EU brandy, amid ongoing disputes over electric vehicle tariffs and WTO compliance.
The European Commission has initiated an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, following pressure from the French government. The probe will investigate imports of new battery-powered passenger electric vehicles made in China, regardless of whether they are Chinese or European brands. The Commission will seek reactions from the Chinese government and the companies involved, while provisional tariffs could be imposed within nine months and definitive tariffs triggered within 13 months. The investigation has raised concerns in Germany about potential retaliation from China, sparking fears of a trade war.
