China announced on Wednesday it was launching an “anti-dumping” investigation – selling below cost – into some imported dairy products from the European Union (EU) in the context of tensions with Brussels over electric vehicles from China.
The petition to investigate imports of European dairy products into China was filed on July 29 by the China Dairy Industry Association, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce. The investigations will focus on products imported between April 2023 and March 2024 and the “damage” these purchases have caused to the Chinese sector.
The process will analyse dairy products such as fresh cheese, quark and cream, and the impact of dairy subsidy programmes in Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Croatia, Finland, Romania and the Czech Republic.
“The Ministry of Commerce has decided to launch an ‘anti-dumping’ investigation into certain dairy products imported from the European Union, effective from August 21, 2024,” the statement said.
The procedure targets a range of subsidies provided under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
On Tuesday, the European Commission confirmed its intention to introduce punitive duties on electric vehicles made in China, including those of the American company Tesla, which has a plant in Shanghai.
Brussels believes that prices for Chinese cars are artificially low due to government subsidies that distort the market and harm the competitiveness of European manufacturers.
These rates, which can reach 36%, replace preliminary taxes imposed in early July on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
Beijing has criticized the decision and threatened retaliation several times in recent months.
The dairy survey should be completed within a year, but could be extended by six months, the ministry said.
In January, Beijing already announced it was investigating alleged anti-competitive practices in relation to spirits such as cognac imported from the EU.
In June, it also launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of pork and pork products from the European Union, mainly produced in Spain, France, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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