China’s Ministry of Commerce is turning up the heat on EU brandy imports, extending its anti-dumping investigation until April 2025. The move comes after a preliminary report in August found EU brandy sales undercutting China’s domestic industry 🚨. Think of it as a high-stakes game of economic chess—with grapes as the pawns.
Why Now?
The probe, launched in January 2024 after a request from China’s alcohol trade group, targets spirits aged in small barrels (under 200 liters) imported between late 2022 and late 2023. Officials are also crunching data to see if EU exports damaged local producers dating back to 2019 📊. Since October, importers have had to pay temporary deposits of up to 39%—a move that’s shaken up the $1.6B EU brandy market.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about drinks 🥂. Analysts see it as part of wider trade friction, especially as the EU weighs tariffs on Chinese EVs. Will this spirits war cool cross-continental business ties? Young professionals and entrepreneurs are watching closely—your next cocktail might just cost more 💸.
