China has launched a probe into subsidies on dairy goods imported from the European Union, which appears to primarily target Ireland in retaliation against the EU’s restrictions on its electric car exports. This investigation, unveiled by China’s trade ministry on Wednesday, will scrutinise a variety of cheeses, milks and creams for human consumption. The inquiry was initiated on 21st August.
The Chinese market plays a crucial role for the dairy sector in Ireland. The Dairy Association of China and the China Dairy Industry Association sparked this probe on July 29, on behalf of the domestic dairy industry, according to the ministry.
China plans to review 20 subsidy programmes from across the 27-member bloc, notably from nations like Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, and Romania, as per its official statement. Out of the named countries, Ireland is the predominant exporter of dairy products to China, having sold dairy goods worth $461 million to the nation last year.
The EU recently amended its proposal for punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports on Tuesday, although it stopped short of dropping them entirely, despite Beijing’s demands. – Reuters.