China applies provisional tariffs of up to 42.7% on certain European dairy products

China has decided to apply, starting December 23, provisional duties on certain European dairy products. The rates range from 21.9% to 42.7%. These duties have been decided in the framework of an anti-subsidy investigation that will end on February 21; based on the outcome of the investigation, the Chinese authorities will then decide whether to eliminate the duties or maintain them and, in the latter case, the level of the same. The decision affects a long series of products, including fresh and aged cheeses, blue cheeses, certain types of milk, and cream. According to the Chinese authorities, these products benefit from subsidies in the European Union that substantially harm Chinese producers. The investigation analyzes imports made between April 2023 and March 2024 and evaluates their impact on the Chinese dairy sector. The EU rejects the arguments that have led to this investigation. The spokesperson for the European Commission, Olof Gill, has stated that "our analysis is that ...