China unveils next steps in EU brandy probe as EV tariffs take effect

BEIJING (Reuters) -- China announced the next step in its anti-dumping investigation into European brandy imports on Friday, ramping up tensions on the same day the European Commission's provisional tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles take effect. While a Commerce Ministry spokesperson stressed at a news conference on Thursday that Brussels and Beijing should stay at the negotiating table ahead of the bloc confirming tariffs of up to 37.6% on Chinese-made EVs, the prospect of retaliation was kept alive by a reference to another probe into EU pork imports. The Commerce Ministry said on Friday it would hold a hearing on July 18 to discuss an ongoing investigation into claims that European brandy producers are selling into China at below market rates. China has repeatedly called on the EU to cancel its EV tariffs, expressing a willingness to negotiate. It has said it does not want to be embroiled in another tariff war -- with U.S. tariffs on its goods continuing to sting -- but ...