China threatens French wine exports over EU over‑production dispute

China’s Ministry of Commerce warned that it will take decisive counter‑measures if the European Union proceeds with a new trade tool aimed at curbing what it calls Chinese industrial “over‑production”. The warning specifically targets French wine and spirits, which rely on the Chinese market as their fourth‑largest export destination. French officials, including Europe’s minister for foreign affairs Jean‑Noël Barrot, met in Bordeaux to discuss the risk of “embargoes” that could cut French wine exports, projected at €767 million in 2025, by up to 20% compared with 2024.

The Chinese threat echoes previous retaliations, such as high tariffs on Australian wines in 2021‑2024 and anti‑dumping duties on French cognac earlier this year. Industry experts fear that, should a trade war erupt over the over‑production issue, Chinese authorities could impose import restrictions on French wines, severely affecting the sector’s competitiveness in the world’s largest wine market.