In this grape-growing region of western France, where brandy producers are fretting over the fallout from a trade dispute between the European Union and China, a gloom hangs over Cognac, a small town that has given its name to France's most famous brandy.

China imposed temporary anti-dumping measures on brandy imports from the European Union on Tuesday, hitting brands from Hennessy to Remy Martin, after the 27-state bloc voted for tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs).

Beijing’s action came days after European nations moved toward tariffs on electric vehicles from China, and it included a threat to also hit pork and car imports.