China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday that it will impose anti-dumping duties on brandy imported from the European Union (EU) for the next five years, starting Saturday. The decision follows an investigation that found EU brandy was being sold in China at unfairly low prices, a practice known as dumping, which poses a threat to China’s domestic brandy industry.
The anti-dumping duties will range from 27.7% to 34.9%, depending on the specific exporter, according to the ministry’s final ruling. However, the ministry has accepted price undertakings from certain EU industry groups and companies. This means that if these companies agree to sell their brandy in China at agreed-upon minimum prices, they will not be subject to the new duties.
The investigation, which began in January 2024, examined EU-produced brandy imported into China between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. A preliminary assessment in August 2024 led to temporary anti-dumping measures imposed in October.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated that accepting price undertakings shows China’s commitment to resolving trade disputes through dialogue. “We hope the EU will work with us to address economic and trade differences,” the spokesperson said. “Strengthening communication will help expand China-EU economic and trade cooperation.”
This move reflects the complex dynamics of global trade, where countries protect their industries from unfair competition while striving to maintain positive trade relationships. For young people in the Global South, understanding these developments is crucial, as they highlight how international trade policies can impact economies and industries worldwide.
