China has announced that it has placed provisional tariffs of up to 42.7% on some dairy products imported from the European Union.
These tariffs will take effect as of Tuesday 23 December and will range from 21.9% to 42.7%, although for the majority of companies this will mean a duty of about 30%. Products include milk, cream, as well as fresh and processed cheeses. It also includes name brands such as French Roquefort, Camembert and Italian gorgonzola.
The hike in tariffs includes the name brands such as French Roquefort, Camembert and Italian gorgonzola. Photo generated by AI: Reve
A European Commission spokesperson, Olof Gill, said at a press conference: “We are doing everything it takes to defend EU farmers and exporters as well as the Common Agricultural Policy against China’s unfair use of trade defence instruments. As always, the Commission will take all necessary steps to defend the rights of European producers.”
Trade tensions
In a recent statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that authorities have preliminarily determined – based on in an investigation opened in 2024 – that imported dairy products originating from the European Union were subsidised, causing substantial damage to the relevant dairy industry in China.
Gill further said that China’s investigation is based on “questionable allegations and insufficient evidence”, and that the EU found these measures by China ‘unjustified’ and ‘unwarranted’.
This hike in tariffs also comes amid a strained relationship between the regions due to trade tensions with the EU when the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-made electric vehicles. In 2024, the EU hiked up tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles to as much as 45.3%.
Zana van Dijk
Source: dairyglobal 23/12/2025
