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China Strikes Back: Anti-subsidy Investigation Begins Against Imported Dairy Products From The EU

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 22, 2024

China has announced the start of an investigation into EU-subsidized dairy imports. The news comes just a day after Brussels published its revised draft to introduce higher tariffs on electric car imports from China.

KEY FACTS

According to information from the state-run Xinhua news agency, China’s Ministry of Commerce is launching an anti-subsidy investigation against imports of dairy products intended for consumption. It is about cheeses, milk and creams.
The investigation began following a complaint filed by the China Dairy Association and the China Dairy Industry Association on July 29.
China will consider 20 subsidy schemes from across the 27-member bloc, specifically those from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Ireland and Romania.
According to Chinese customs data, the EU is the second largest supplier of dairy products to China with at least 36% of the total value of imports in 2023. According to data from the European Commission, in 2023 the EU exported to China dairy products worth 1, 7 billion euros ($1.84 billion).
In June, the Chinese authorities announced the initiation of another investigation – into the subsidized import of pork and frozen products. The investigation began following a complaint filed by the China Animal Breeding Association. According to data from EU customs, more than half of the pork imported from China in 2023, worth about 6 billion dollars, falls.

KEY STORY

The European Commission announced the introduction of higher tariffs on electric car imports from China and launched an investigation into the excessive amount of subsidies the state provides to the sector. The EU believes that cheap imports from China are undermining the European market. The tariffs were preliminary and were put in place while the investigation is still ongoing.

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China says the measures are protectionist and has threatened to retaliate with its own tariffs on a number of sectors, including pork, large-engine cars and spirits. Beijing also disputes the measures before the WTO.

According to the EC’s final proposal, the Chinese companies that will be hit the hardest by the higher tariffs are SAIC Motor Corp., Volvo Car parent company AB Geely and BYD. They face additional duties of 36.3%, 19.3% and 17% respectively. These duties will be added to the existing 10% levy on EV imports into the EU.

The final decision will be taken only after the publication of the final regulation by 30 October 2024 at the latest. All potential measures will be in force for a period of 5 years, which may be extended.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Rates may still change before they become final. The parties have the right to dispute this proposal within 10 days after its publication. Their comments will be considered and taken into account. Chinese companies condemned the EC’s decision and described the tariffs as “unfair”.

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Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

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Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.