China slaps import duties on sugar; experts question impact

Beijing

CHINA said on Monday it will impose hefty penalties on sugar imports after lobbying by domestic mills, but experts said the ruling may not go far enough to stem the flow of lower-priced sweetener into the world's top importer.

The ruling, which will affect about a third of China's annual sugar imports, introduces an extra tariff on shipments over a three-year period, which will fall slightly each year.