China imposes tariffs of up to 12% on EU dairy products
Starting February 13, China’s Ministry of Commerce will apply tariffs ranging from 7.4% to 11.7% on dairy products imported from the European Union. These tariffs will remain in place for five years and aim to protect China's domestic dairy industry from unfair competition.
Source Mofcom
The investigation into European dairy imports began in August 2024, initiated by the China Dairy Product Association and the China Dairy Industry Association. The inquiry found that EU dairy products were subsidized, causing significant harm to China’s domestic market. A preliminary decision in December 2024 proposed much higher tariffs ranging from 21.9% to 42.7%.
Additionally, the new tariffs benefit local producers as well as trade partners such as New Zealand, which enjoys a free trade agreement with China, providing them with a competitive advantage.
