Look out, Chinese drinkers - your favorite European spirits are about to go from top-shelf to top-dollar! With China slapping hefty tariffs on EU brandy, it's not just hangovers that'll have folks groaning in the morning. Seems like the trade war has found its way to the bottom of the bottle, and now Chinese imbibers are getting a taste of international politics with their nightcap. From baijiu to cognac, it's time to pour one out for affordable booze!

Beijing has announced hefty anti-dumping duties on European spirits. Set to take effect this Friday, the tariffs will range from 30.6% to 39.0%, marking a sharp reversal from China's previous stance. This move comes hot on the heels of the EU's decision to impose tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese electric vehicles for the next five years. Initially, China had refrained from taxing EU spirits despite evidence of harm to local competitors. However, the landscape has shifted rapidly.

China's Ministry of Commerce didn't mince words, labeling the EU's actions as "unfair" and warning of further countermeasures to protect Chinese businesses. As the spirits flow, so too does the tension between these economic giants.