China targets dairy imports, once again putting Irish agriculture in trade dispute crosshairs

China's dairy probe is Ireland's latest tariff battle

Export of cattle and goods from Cork to Britain just before the placement of the trade embargo in July 1933.

The decision by China this week to commence an anti-subsidy probe into dairy imports from the European Union caused understandable concern for farmers here given the Chinese authorities mentioned Ireland specifically by name.

The investigation, targeting various dairy products, is viewed as a clear retaliatory move by China after the European Commission put Chinese automakers on notice it planned to impose new tariffs on cars imported into Europe.