China imposes temporary duties of up to 42.7% on European dairy imports
China intends to impose Temporary tariffs of up to 42.7% on some dairy products imported from the European Union.
This follows the conclusion of the first phase of an anti-dumping investigation, widely seen as a response to the duties imposed by European Union on Chinese electric cars.
The value of the duties
The duties will range between 21.9% and 42.7%, while most companies will pay fees approaching 30%.
The targeted products include milk and cheese, including the famous French Roquefort cheese, and the collection of these duties is scheduled to begin starting tomorrow, Tuesday.
The European Commission did not issue an immediate response to the decision.
She explained ChinaThe decision issued today, Monday, is a temporary measure, and may be amended when the final ruling is issued, indicating that it significantly reduced the temporary duties on meat imports in its final decision last week.
The roots of trade tensions between China and the European Union go back to 2023, when the European Commission launched an anti-dumping investigation into electric cars manufactured in China.
Beijing responded by opening investigations and imposing duties on imports of some drinks. And meat, and now European dairy products, in steps seen as retaliatory measures.
However, China has on several occasions mitigated the impact of these duties, as happened in the meat file, while the impact of the duties on major producers of some beverages has been reduced or partially neutralized.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that negotiations with the European Union regarding duties imposed on electric cars resumed this month, but the results of these talks, which were scheduled to end last week, have not been announced. Until now. A senior European diplomat in Beijing stated that fundamental differences still exist between the two sides.
According to the data, the value of China’s imports of dairy products included in the current investigation amounted to about $589 million in 2024, which are levels similar to 2023.
China: European dairy products are subsidized
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated, in a statement, that it had found evidence that dairy imports from the European Union were receiving subsidies. Governmentally, which harmed local producers in Beijing.
About 60 companies, including Arla Foods, which owns brands such as Lurpak and Castello, will be imposed duties ranging between 28.6% and 29.7%.
The Italian company Sterilgarda Alimenti will pay the lowest duty rate of 21.9%, while the two companies, FrieslandCampina, will be subject to Belgium” and “FrieslandCampina Netherlands” had the highest percentage at 42.7%.
As for the companies that did not participate in the investigation, they will be subject to the highest bracket of fees.
The decision is expected to be welcomed by Chinese producers, who are suffering from a glut in milk production and falling prices, in light of the decline in birth rates and consumers’ tendency to reduce spending.
China is the third largest milk producer in the world, and had called on producers last year to reduce production. Eliminate older, less productive livestock.
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