China to impose duties of up to 43% on EU dairy products

China said on Monday it would temporarily impose duties on imports of "certain dairy products" from the European Union (EU).

This is another blow in a trade dispute that covers both food products and electric vehicles.

The duties, which range from 21.9 per cent to 42.7 per cent, will take effect on Tuesday.

They apply to a wide range of goods, including fresh and processed cheese, cottage cheese, moulded cheese and some milk and cream products, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

Officials launched the anti-subsidy investigation in August 2024 following a request from the China Milk Producers Association. The investigation will be completed in February.

China's Ministry of Commerce said on Monday that preliminary findings show a link between EU subsidies and damage to China's dairy industry.

The duties on EU dairy products come a week after Beijing said it would impose anti-dumping duties on European pork for five years.

The duties started on 17 December and range from 4.9 per cent to 19.8 per cent. These duties are lower than the provisional duties imposed in September, which ranged from 15.6 to 62.4 per cent, but the new tariffs will apply for five years.

China took these measures following an investigation by Brussels into Beijing's generous subsidies to the electric car industry. Brussels says this is unfair to competitors in Europe.