EU dairy products face reduced but ongoing tariffs in China

February 12, 2026 (MLN): China plans to lower tariffs on certain dairy products imported from the European Union, though anti-subsidy levies of 7.4% to 11.7% will remain in place for the next five years.

The reduced rates replace the much higher tariffs of 21.9% to 42.7% imposed in December, APP reported.

The move follows a broader easing of trade tensions between the two economic giants, including recent agreements on minimum prices for Chinese electric vehicles exported to the EU and reduced duties on European cognac and pork products sold to China.

The levies come after an investigation found that certain EU dairy products including fresh and processed cheese, curd, blue cheese, and some milk and cream were subsidized, causing “substantial damage” to China’s dairy industry.

The tariffs are to take effect from Friday.

Earlier, China had reduced levies on EU pork products and reached agreements on minimum prices for EU brandy and cognac, while EU electric carmakers last month agreed to minimum import prices instead of tariffs, which china described as a “soft landing” in the ongoing dispute.

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