China opens anti-subsidy probe into European milk exports Reuters

Beijing – China has opened an anti-subsidy investigation on milk products imported from the European Union, a move that seems to be aimed mainly at Ireland and in response to the organization's ban on the sale of electric cars to foreign countries.

The investigation announced by China's commerce ministry on Wednesday will focus on different types of cheese, milk and cream intended for human consumption.

The investigation began on August 21.

This was caused by a complaint filed by the Dairy Association of China and the China Dairy Industry Association on July 29 on behalf of the domestic dairy industry, the Ministry said.

China will examine 20 grant programs from across the group of 27 countries, especially those from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Ireland and Romania, the statement said.

Of the countries on the list, Ireland is the largest exporter of dairy products to China, having sold goods worth $461 million to the Asian country last year.

The EU on Tuesday reviewed its proposed punitive duties on sales of electric vehicles made in China, but failed to abandon them, as Beijing had asked Brussels to do.