BEIJING: China will extend its anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy by three months, its commerce ministry said on Wednesday, giving EU exporters, mainly French cognac suppliers, more time to try to avert painful Chinese penalties.
The probe, initiated in Jan 2024 amid heightened trade tensions between China and the 27-state bloc, was originally due to be concluded in a year, but was extended to April 5 2025.
China’s delay to the conclusion of its inquiry to July 5 followed a visit by French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot last week during which Beijing offered deeper bilateral cooperation as US President Donald Trump threatened trade tariffs on partners, including the EU and China.