China revises import duties on dairy products from the EU

China, after completing an anti-subsidy investigation into financial support for farmers in the EU, intends to impose duties of up to 11.7% on a number of European dairy products.

This is reported by the Euractiv publication with reference to a document in its possession.

It is noted that the investigation, launched in August 2024, aimed to find out whether subsidies provided under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as other types of payments – in particular for environmental practices – distorted competition and harmed Chinese producers.

The new duties apply to a wide range of dairy products, including various types of cheese, milk and cream.

According to the list, the 11.7% rate will apply to most exporters, while more than 50 companies will fall under a lower rate of 9.5%. Among them are French dairy giant Lactalis, Danish Arla and Italian Zanetti.

Beijing has already imposed significant temporary tariffs last month, ranging from 21.9% to 42.7%, which will now be reduced.

“Once again, farmers and their high-quality competitive products are being held hostage to a wider trade conflict,” the EU farmers’ union Copa-Cogeca said on social media, calling for a “diplomatic, constructive solution” to the situation.

Tags: Ukraine, China, EU, duties