The trade "quarrels" between the EU and China are escalating, this time due to milk products from Europe

2024-08-22 08:57:00Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The trade "quarrels" between the EU and China are escalating, this

China has launched an investigation against subsidies on dairy products imported from the European Union, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Wednesday, in a sign of a growing trade row between Brussels and Beijing.

The inquiry requested by two state-backed industry groups was discussed in consultation with the European Commission on August 14, the statement claims. The investigation must be completed within 12 months, but may be extended for a further six months.

The investigation will target EU subsidies in the production of fresh and processed cheese, blue cheese and other cheese, milk and cream products. The Chinese ministry says 20 subsidy programs in eight member states Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Italy and Romania will be under investigation.

These include several subsidy programs under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The move comes less than 24 hours after the EU executive signaled its intention to impose final tariffs of up to 36.3% on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) made in China, following an anti-subsidy nine - monthly. investigation

This investigation found that Beijing was pumping generous subsidies throughout its BEV value chain, giving Chinese companies an unfair advantage and threatening to strangle the EU's domestic industry by artificially lowering BEV prices. The EU is also investigating the potentially damaging impact of Chinese subsidies to wind turbine and solar panel manufacturers on the 27-nation bloc's industry.

Beijing has already launched anti-dumping investigations into EU pork, spirits and chemical products, as well as an investigation into the public procurement of medical equipment. On Tuesday, the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the bloc must avoid a "systematic confrontation" with China as trade tensions between the two sides threaten to escalate.

But Borrell, who will step down after five years at the helm of the EU's diplomatic arm this autumn, also warned that a trade war between China and other world powers could be inevitable. He also indicated that Europe's interests will not always align with those of the US and urged the bloc to be more willing to do things its way.


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