Source: European Parliament
The Commission is fully aware of the importance of the Chinese export market for EU cognac and brandy producers and the consequences of China’s retaliatory measures.
In this context, the Commission stands ready to consider all possibilities available within the common market Organisation[1] to offer appropriate support to EU brandy and wine spirit sector.
However, spirit drinks do not benefit of any EU aid for their production, apart from being eligible for promotion aid in third countries. The Commission will always stand firmly and fearlessly on the side of EU producers, industry, open and fair trade.
The Commission has followed this investigation very closely since its initiation and intervened on a number of occasions to express its objections to the questionable nature of China’s allegations and subsequent measures.
The Commission has taken action over the imposition of provisional duties by challenging these duties at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
By expressing its disagreement with China’s WTO-incompatible measures already at provisional stage, the EU is taking strong early action to protect the interests of its industry and economy.
In parallel, t he Commission has engaged, and will continue to engage, with the Chinese authorities, Member States and relevant industry organisations to defend the interests of t he EU’s cognac and brandy sectors in the face of the Chinese tariffs.
- [1] Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007, OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671-854.