Revenge for the auto industry: China imposes duties on European cognacs and brandy

The Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China announced the introduction of a temporary duty on cognac and brandy from European producers of up to 39%, which importers will have to pay as a deposit until further notice.

The official reason for introducing the duty was the accusation of dumping and unfair competition with local producers by European producers.

Spirits Europe rejected the dumping accusations as unfounded and called for negotiations between Beijing and Brussels.

Obviously, the import duty on brandy was Beijing’s retaliation for the introduction by the European Union of protective duties on the import of Chinese electric vehicles, initiated by France, the main supplier of brandy to China.