China threatens France with wine and spirits tariffs

Monday, 16 February, 2026
The Drinks Business, Ron Emler
China has issued a threat that it could launch investigations into French wines and spirits or impose tariffs on EU products if France urges the EU to slap import duties on Chinese goods.

A social media account closely linked with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said that China would target French products, notably wines and spirits, in retaliation.

As both Cognac distillers and Australian wine groups know, “investigations” by Beijing can take considerable time and result in higher import duties and loss of markets in China.

On Monday, the French Government issued a strategy report which urged the EU to consider an unprecedented 30% across-the-board tariff on Chinese goods or a 30% depreciation of the euro against the renminbi to counter a surge of cheap imports.

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