New Chinese tariffs on dairy products will hit Europe

The European Commission believes that China's imposition of tariffs on EU dairy products is unjustified. The spokesman for this institution, Olof Gill, informed that the EC would consider turning to the World Trade Organization on this matter.

China announced new tariffs on some European dairy products on Thursday, reaching up to 12%. Some Member States expressed dissatisfaction with this.

– We consider these measures unjustified. (…) We will assess the impact of these measures and are committed to defending the interests of our EU dairy sector, in line with international trade rules. We will consider available options, including the possibility of taking action within the World Trade Organization, said the EC spokesman.

Gill added that he would not speculate on the logic behind China's actions. – From the European Union's perspective, the initiation of these investigations (by China on the import of dairy products) and the imposition of any duties are baseless and not based on facts – he said, adding that Beijing should withdraw from this decision.

On Thursday, China lowered tariffs on imports of dairy products from the European Union worth more than $500 million. This is the final decision in an 18-month anti-dumping proceeding initiated in response to tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese electric vehicles.

New customs duties ranging from 7.4 percent up to 11.7%, will be valid for five years – from February 13. They will replace temporary tariffs ranging from 21.9%. to 42.7%, announced in December.

From Brussels Łukasz Osiński (PAP)

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