The People's Republic of China approved Communiqué No. 25/2017, which provides for adjustments to the current tariff structure, effective as of December 1, 2017.
The regulations establish Temporary tariffs lower than those applied to Most Favored Nation countries (MFN), aimed, according to the Chinese authority, at reducing prices and stimulating final consumer spending on 187 consumer products for which China has no production or is a net importer.
Among them, a reduction was detected in 32 positions corresponding to agro-industrial products. The following are highlighted according to their interest for Argentina:
- Prawns: reduction from 5% to 2% of the tariff on frozen products, except for peeled products. This is one of the main export products of the Argentine fishing sector to China and the main beneficiary of the reduction, since it represents 62% of the total imported, followed by Ecuador (25%).
- Dairy: The tariff has been reduced for all cheeses, except fresh cheese, which, due to its shelf life, is the least imported by China. This will improve the competitiveness of other suppliers, including Argentina, compared to countries that have signed a free trade agreement with China, such as New Zealand or Australia.
- Infant formulas and certain types of dairy infant formulas: It is recalled that these products have had a temporary reduced tariff of 2017% since January 5. The aim is to reduce the price of infant formulas (except formulas), which will be imported with a 2% tariff, and 4 types of infant formulas, the majority of which are imported, whose tariff has been reduced to 0%.
- Food & Beverages: a reduction in tariffs on uncooked pasta without eggs (mainly comprising dried pasta); homogenised fruit jams and jellies; mineral water; vermouth, spirits from the distillation of wine and whisky.
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