The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry
China has sharply reduced provisional import tariffs on European Union dairy products, easing pressure on exporters of high-value cheese and cream after weeks of industry lobbying and amid signs of a broader de-escalation in EU-China trade tensions.
The revised measures cut the maximum duty on EU dairy imports to 11.7%, down from rates of up to 42.7% imposed in December following an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation by China’s Ministry of Commerce, according to notifications sent by the European Commission to industry groups.
Several major European dairy producers, including Denmark’s Arla Foods and France’s Lactalis, will face a lower tariff rate of 9.5%, industry bodies said.
The duties were introduced after China alleged that subsidised EU dairy exports were depressing domestic prices, particularly in cheese and high-fat cream.
European dairy groups have strongly disputed the claim, arguing that EU support measures comply with World Trade Organization rules and have no material impact on Chinese markets.
China is the world’s largest importer of dairy products and ingredients, making market access critical for European exporters as they seek outlets for value-added products amid slower demand growth at home.
The European Dairy Association said it would meet with the Commission this week to discuss next steps, urging Brussels to prioritise market access while avoiding retaliatory measures that could further disrupt global dairy trade.
The tariff cuts come against the backdrop of a broader easing of trade friction between Beijing and Brussels, following earlier Chinese investigations into EU pork and brandy exports, widely seen as retaliation for EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
China’s dairy investigation, launched in August 2025, is due to conclude later this month, with a final ruling yet to be formally published. Industry groups say uncertainty over the outcome continues to weigh on export planning and pricing.
A European Commission spokesperson said the original tariffs were based on “questionable allegations and insufficient evidence”, adding that Brussels would continue to defend the bloc’s dairy sector against what it views as unjustified trade measures.
For EU dairy producers, the revised tariffs reduce immediate cost pressure but stop short of restoring full competitiveness in a market that remains strategically important for premium cheese, cream and ingredient exports.