China has responded immediately as a new raft of tariffs imposed on electric vehicle imports into the European Union took effect.
Provisional import duties of up to 38% were imposed on Chinese-made electric vehicles yesterday by European administrators and in response China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into European brandy.
In addition to a probe into pork imports, China’s Commerce Ministry said there would be a hearing to consider claims that European brandy producers are selling into China at below-market rates.
China has repeatedly called on the EU to cancel its EV tariffs, expressing a willingness to negotiate and saying it does not want a trade war with Europe alongside its ongoing battle with the US.
A vote to ratify the European tariffs is upcoming and commentators said the moves seem to be designed to pressure the countries that would be most affected by a pork and brandy ban.
France and Spain have been among the EU members most in favour of tariffs but Germany under pressure from its carmakers wants the tariffs lifted.
Tariffs on European dairy import tariffs and luxury petrol cars manufactured in Europe have also been floated by China.