NEW Chinese duties on European brandy imports would have “catastrophic” consequences for one of France’s top export sectors, the BNIC lobby group of Cognac producers said on Tuesday (Oct 8).
“Faced with this development, the French authorities cannot abandon us and leave us alone to deal with Chinese retaliation that has nothing to do with us”, BNIC said, adding: “These taxes must be suspended before it’s too late.”
China on Tuesday imposed temporary anti-dumping measures on brandy imports from the European Union, hitting brands from Hennessy to Remy Martin, after the 27-state bloc voted for tariffs on China-made electric vehicles (EVs).
France said it would work with the European Union to take action at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) level to protest against China’s decision to slap new duties on European brandy imports, the French trade minister told Reuters on Tuesday. REUTERS
