Brussels (ANSA) – The European Union has decided to take action against China’s provisional tariffs on European brandy imports by filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Brussels maintains its “strong belief” that China’s tariffs “do not comply with WTO regulations.” According to a statement from the European Commission, “China has not provided evidence that its brandy industry faces threats of harm,” and the Commission insists that the basis for China’s decision is “insufficient.”
Beijing has ten days to respond to the EU’s WTO complaint, which seeks to achieve a negotiated resolution to the dispute. European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, who oversees trade, highlighted that this appeal to the WTO is a part of the EU’s commitment to safeguard its industry from baseless claims and the improper application of trade defense measures.
He further stated, “The EU takes any unfair or questionable application of trade defense instruments against any sector of our economy very seriously.” This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing trade tensions, particularly affecting efforts to resolve the recent EU-imposed tariffs on electric car imports from China, which were announced on November 25.
Leave a Reply