China imposes tariffs up to 42.7% on EU dairy products after anti-subsidy probe
China announced provisional tariffs ranging from 21.9% to 42.7% on EU dairy imports, effective Tuesday, citing subsidies causing damage to domestic industry.
December 22, 2025 - 10:16 AM ET • 2 min read
China announced Monday that it will impose provisional tariffs of up to 42.7% on dairy products imported from the European Union, effective Tuesday, following the preliminary conclusion of a 16-month anti-subsidy investigation.
The tariffs, which range from 21.9% to 42.7% depending on the exporting company, will be collected as deposits that importers must pay at Chinese customs. Companies that cooperated with the investigation face tariffs of 28.6%, while those that did not cooperate face the maximum rate of 42.7%. Most companies will pay approximately 30%, according to sources.
China's Ministry of Commerce determined preliminarily that EU subsidies for dairy products caused "substantial damage" to China's domestic dairy industry and that a causal relationship exists between the subsidies and that damage. The investigation began in August 2024 following a request from the Chinese Dairy Association and the China Dairy Industry Association, with a final ruling expected in February.
The affected products include fresh, processed, and blue cheeses such as French Roquefort and Italian Gorgonzola, as well as whole and unsweetened milk and cream. French dairy company Fromarsac faces tariffs of 30%, while some companies linked to Dutch cheesemaker FrieslandCampina were hit with tariffs of 43%, according to the ministry.
Spain, one of the main EU exporters of these products to China, exported approximately 82 million euros worth of dairy products to the Chinese market in 2024, according to Spanish agricultural ministry figures.
The European Commission rejected the decision, with spokesperson Olof Gill stating that the assessment is that the investigation is based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence, and that the measures are therefore unjustified and unwarranted.
The provisional determination could be revised when a final ruling is made. China previously lowered provisional tariffs on pork in its final decision following an earlier investigation.