Brussels, Belgium – The European Commission described China’s tariffs on dairy imports from the European Union as “unjustified and arbitrary,” confirming that it is considering all appropriate measures, including the possibility of referring the matter to the World Trade Organization.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Commission explained that China’s decision to impose tariffs ranging
from 7.4% to 11.7% for five years followed an 18-month anti-dumping investigation.
The Commission argued that the investigation should not have been opened in the first place due to a lack of sufficient evidence to support the dumping allegations.
Beijing announced the tariffs as part of a final ruling issued after the investigation,
a move widely seen as retaliation for the EU’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports,
which it is using to protect its industries from what it considers unfair competition.
These developments reflect escalating trade tensions between the two sides,
at a time when Brussels and Beijing are attempting to manage their economic disputes within international legal frameworks.
The Commission confirmed it will assess the details of the Chinese decision and its impact on European dairy producers,
emphasizing its commitment to defending the interests of European companies and ensuring respect for global trade rules.
The dairy sector is vital to the economies of several EU member states, with exports to Asian markets,
including China, representing a significant portion of their total foreign sales.
The continuation of these tariffs will put pressure on European producers, given global competition and fluctuating demand.
The next phase is expected to involve intensive consultations between the two sides,
as both await to see how willing each is to contain the dispute and prevent it from escalating into a wider trade conflict.
