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China’s axe falls on European cheeses, tariffs up to 42.7%

by AI | 05.Jan 2026 | Europe in brief AI

The Beijing axe falls on the European Union’s dairy products. China has in fact imposed duties of up to 42.7% on cheeses Made in Europe in response to the Old Continent’s tariffs on electric vehicles.

Hou Yongliang, renowned chef of the Chinese “Grand Palais du Peuple”, examines some French cheeses during a visit to the international market of Rungis, near Paris, on July 24, 2012, on the occasion of an international meeting of the “Chef des Chefs Club” (CCC). (Photo: François Guillot/AFP).

New York (ANSA) – Beijing’s axe falls on the European Union’s dairy products. China has in fact imposed duties of up to 42.7% on cheeses Made in Europe in response to the Old Continent’s tariffs on electric vehicles. Calling the “measures unjustifiable,” Brussels has pledged to do “everything possible to defend” farmers.

“We take note with concern of the announcement of new tariffs by China,” said European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill. The Chinese clampdown has created alarm among Italian industry associations.

“The value of Italian cheese exports to China has tripled in the last 5 years and Beijing’s move to impose duties on European dairy products risks weighing on the sector’s growth potential in the Asian market,” said Coldiretti and Filiera Italia, noting that sales of Italian cheeses in China reached a value of 71 million euros in 2024, an increase of 207% compared to 2020.

Within the scope of Italian agri-food exports to China, they note, cheese is the second product after wine. Equally tough is the stance taken by Confagri, which speaks of measures that are “unacceptable” and “incomprehensible even from a legal standpoint.” For Assolatte “the decision by the Chinese authorities risks seriously compromising the economic stability of Italian companies in the sector,” which has “nothing to do with the ongoing trade tensions.”

The Chinese duties were decided at the end of the investigation launched by Beijing in August 2024, according to which EU subsidies for dairy products have caused “substantial damage” to the Chinese industry. The tariffs come into force on December 23 and will range between 21.9% and 42.7%, with companies that cooperated with the Chinese investigation subject to tariffs of 28.6%, while those that did not will face duties of 42.7%. For the moment the duties are temporary but could be made permanent in February 2026. (December 22)