China said it would take "provisional anti-dumping measures" on brandy imported from the European Union, the latest move in an escalating trade dispute between Beijing and Brussels.
China launched an investigation into European Union brandy imports in January, months after the EU launched an investigation into Chinese subsidies for electric vehicles, AFP reported.
In August, Beijing said it would not impose provisional duties on European alcohol producers, despite finding evidence of dumping, but did not rule out follow-up measures.
From Friday, operators will have to pay a "corresponding guarantee" to Chinese customs when importing EU brandy into the country, Beijing's commerce ministry said.
The amount will be based on calculations including prices approved by customs as well as import taxes, the ministry said.
In 2022, China imported more brandy than any other alcohol, with most of it coming from France, according to a report by research group Daxue Consulting.
Last week, the EU gave the final go-ahead to impose additional duties of up to 35.3% on electric vehicles imported from China. The EU said Beijing was unfairly subsidising its domestic industry to the detriment of European carmakers.
Beijing denies the accusations. It has also launched a probe into EU subsidies on some dairy and pork products imported into China. | BGNES
