China steps up European brandy import probe with hearing, focuses on ‘industrial damage’
- China holds an anti-dumping hearing as part of its investigation into imports of European brandy
China stepped up its investigation into imports of European brandy on Thursday with an anti-dumping hearing taking place less than two weeks after the bloc’s additional duties on Chinese-battery electric vehicles took effect.
The Ministry of Commerce said the hearing would focus on “industrial damage, cause and effect, and public interest in the anti-dumping investigation of related brandy products”, with French cognac the main target.
The ministry added that the investigation would look at brandy in containers holding less than 200 litres (52 gallons) imported from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, and if they caused damage to the Chinese brandy industry between January 1, 2019, and September 30, 2023.
The investigation is expected to be finished before January 5, but it could be extended for another six months under special circumstances.
This hearing enabled the various European parties to reject the unfounded allegations of dumping
Later on Thursday, the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac confirmed a “high-level European delegation” had taken part in the hearing.
