China warns of tariffs on French wine amid EU trade tensions

Wednesday 11 February 2026 - 15:20

By: Dakir Madiha

China warns of tariffs on French wine amid EU trade tensions

China signaled on Wednesday that it could open investigations into French wine or impose reciprocal tariffs on European Union goods if France continues to advocate for sweeping trade measures against Chinese products, according to Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV.

The warning followed a strategic report released Monday by France’s High Commission for Strategy and Planning, a government advisory body, which urged the EU to consider either an unprecedented 30 percent tariff on all Chinese imports or a 30 percent depreciation of the euro against the renminbi to counter the influx of low cost Chinese goods.

Yuyuan Tantian said the French proposals single out Chinese products and violate World Trade Organization rules. The account described the measures as tantamount to a declaration of trade war against China.

The response from Paris appeared more measured. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure distanced himself from the idea of blanket tariffs, calling China’s large trade surplus with Europe unsustainable but stressing that there is no universal solution. He argued for targeted tariffs in cases of clear unfair competition, combined with continued diplomatic engagement with Beijing and efforts to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.

The advisory report highlighted growing exposure of European industries to Chinese competition. It estimated that one quarter of French exports now face direct pressure from Chinese rivals, while roughly two thirds of German industrial output confront similar challenges. The document attributed China’s expanding market share to improved product quality and sustained cost advantages of 30 to 40 percent.

The threat to French wine comes as the sector is already under strain from existing trade frictions. French wine and spirits exports fell to their lowest volume in at least 25 years in 2025, according to industry body FEVS. Sales to China dropped 20 percent in value to 767 million euros, after Beijing imposed anti dumping duties last year that sharply curtailed shipments of cognac and other wine based spirits.

Gabriel Picard, head of FEVS, said geopolitical tensions between France and China had effectively marked the end of cognac’s growth in the Chinese market.

Trade disputes between the EU and China have escalated since the bloc imposed tariffs of up to 38 percent on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024, a measure strongly backed by France. China responded with duties on European brandy and, in December 2025, introduced tariffs of up to 43 percent on certain EU dairy products.