China Imposes New Tariffs on EU Dairy | Industry Alert

China has added high taxes on some dairy products from the European Union. The tariffs are between 21.9% and 42.7%. Most companies will face rates just under 30%. The tariffs start on December 23, 2025.

The products affected include fresh, processed and blue cheese as well as milk and cream. Milk powder and infant formula are not included. The highest tariffs are for FrieslandCampina, a big Dutch dairy company.

China says EU dairy imports are subsidized. This means China believes the EU helps its farmers with money that makes their products cheaper. Chinese officials say this has hurt local dairy farmers.

This move comes after other trade problems between China and the EU. Last year, the EU put taxes on Chinese electric vehicles. China has also investigated pork and brandy from Europe.

EU farmers are unhappy. They face cuts to subsidies at home and now must deal with higher taxes in China. Some farmers protested in Brussels recently. They brought tractors, spread manure and clashed with police.

Companies that sell to China may lose money. FrieslandCampina earns over a quarter of its €13 billion sales from Asian countries including China. Most other EU dairy companies will also face higher costs.

Negotiations are ongoing. China wants a deal for the whole dairy sector not just individual companies. The EU says its farm subsidies follow international rules. Talks continue but the situation is complicated.

The new tariffs show that trade between China and the EU is still tense. EU farmers and companies may face financial challenges. Both sides are trying to negotiate but the future of the dairy industry in China and Europe is uncertain.