Beijing (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Monday it will extend the anti-subsidy investigation it initiated on dairy products from the European Union until February 21, 2026, according to a ministry statement.
The initial investigation formally started in August 2024. According to the ministry, it postponed the deadline to February 21, 2026, to give the case sufficient attention and complexity. The EU contested the investigation, stating that it was based on “questionable allegations and a lack of evidence.”
What triggered the Chinese investigation into European dairy products?
The original investigation was launched not long after the EU imposed new tariffs of up to 45.3 per cent on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024. The EU introduced significant tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles—as high as 45.3%—citing concerns about market distortion due to Chinese government subsidies to its EV industry.
In retaliation, China then set its sights on the EU’s dairy products, focusing pretty much entirely on cheese, milk, and cream, subsidised by the EU Common Agricultural Policy as well as by a number of member states, such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, and France.
China’s investigation is focused on subsidies provided under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and national measures in the member states of Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, and France. The investigation considers dairy products, including fresh cheese, processed cheese, blue cheese, and milk and cream with a fat content of over 10%.
Are there other anti-investigations launched by China against EU products recently?
In a similar probe, China recently initiated anti-dumping investigations against EU pork and brandy imports. Beijing began these investigations as trade tensions escalated and as retaliation for EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. These investigations by China focus on alleged dumping practices that the EU denies, arguing that these investigations are based on weak evidence and are potentially retaliatory measures in the broader EU-China trade tensions.
