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China has launched a new investigation into French brandy imports, escalating a trade spat between Beijing and Brussels.

Officials at the commerce ministry said its anti-dumping probe into brandy imported from the European Union followed complaints from the domestic brandy industry.

It comes four months after European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen complained of a flood of low-cost Chinese electric vehicles hitting Europe and launched an investigation into Beijing’s support for the industry, supported by French car executives and officials.

At the time, Brussels warned of likely Chinese retaliation.

China imported alcoholic drinks worth about $4.5bn in 2022, according to Daxue Consulting, a China-based market research group.

Brandy was the most-imported spirit, consisting almost entirely of French products.

Additional reporting by Wenjie Ding in Beijing