Archive · 22 Dec 2025
China Imposes Up to 42.7% Tariffs on EU Dairy
China has decided to put new taxes, called tariffs, on some dairy products from the European Union (EU).
These taxes will be between 21.9% and 42.7%, and they will start being collected soon.
The products affected include milk and cheese, like the famous French cheese Roquefort.
China says these taxes are because they believe the EU is giving unfair help to its dairy producers, which hurts Chinese producers.
This is part of a bigger disagreement between China and the EU about trade.
China has also put taxes on other EU products like brandy and pork.
The EU has not yet responded to this decision.
China is the third-largest milk producer in the world, and this move might help its local dairy industry, which is currently struggling with too much milk and low prices.
China will impose provisional tariffs of 21.9% to 42.7% on certain EU dairy products, effective from Tuesday.
The tariffs target products like milk and cheese, including Roquefort, as retaliation for EU's electric vehicle tariffs.
The European Commission has not responded to the decision, and the tariffs could be revised in the final ruling.
China has previously imposed tariffs on EU brandy and pork, but reduced or limited their impact in final decisions.
The decision is likely to support Chinese dairy producers who are facing a surplus of milk and declining demand.
- Who
- China and the European Union
- What
- Imposition of provisional tariffs on EU dairy imports
- When
- Effective from Tuesday (unspecified date)
- Where
- China
- Why
- Retaliation for EU's electric vehicle tariffs and alleged subsidies on EU dairy products
- Tariff Range
- 21.9% to 42.7%
- Target Products
- Milk, cheese, including Roquefort
- Effective Date
- Tuesday (unspecified date)
- EU Dairy Imports to China (2024)
- $589 million
- Key Affected Companies
- Arla Foods, Sterilgarda Alimenti SpA, FrieslandCampina
- China's Dairy Industry Status
- World's third-largest milk producer
