China hits European dairy with new tariffs of up to 11.7%

Beijing, China – Chinese authorities have announced an increase in tariffs on European dairy products, raising them to 11.7%. Analysts view this as part of a series of retaliatory trade measures in response to European pressure, aimed at protecting the domestic market.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the new tariffs will apply to powdered milk, cheese, and butter. The ministry indicated that the decision aims to support domestic production and ensure price stability for consumers.

For their part, representatives of European companies warned that this increase could reduce the competitiveness of their products in the Chinese market, the world’s second-largest dairy market. They emphasized that some suppliers may be forced to reassess their contracts and redirect their exports to other markets.

Experts add that the Chinese move comes at a time of escalating trade tensions between Beijing and several European countries. This occurs amidst attempts to rebalance economic relations and protect domestic industries from foreign competition.

A European official indicated that the European Union is considering opening urgent channels of dialogue with China to mitigate the impact of the tariffs on the dairy sector, which includes thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in several countries.