The European Union on Monday formally launched a challenge at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China's move to impose anti-dumping measures on brandy imported from the bloc.

The Commerce Ministry in Beijing said its temporary anti-dumping measures on certain brandy imports are legitimate trade remedies fully in line with WTO rules.

The European Commission said in a statement: "By requesting consultations with China over its provisional anti-dumping measures on EU brandy, the Commission is following through on its commitment to protect our industry from unfounded accusations and misuse of trade defence measures."

In response to a media query on the consultation request filed by the EU over these measures through the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, a Commerce Ministry official said the Chinese side will handle it in accordance with the WTO rules.

The move by Beijing to impose anti-dumping measures last month came after the EU slapped additional import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. China has filed its own complaint with the WTO over the new tariffs on electric vehicles. (AFP/Xinhua)