China says it will impose temporary anti-dumping measures on brandy from the European Union, alleging that the products are imported at unfairly low prices and could pose a threat to the domestic industry.

The Commerce Ministry announced on Tuesday that importers of EU brandy will have to pay a deposit starting Friday.

The decision is believed to be a countermeasure against the EU's plan to impose additional tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on Chinese electric vehicles.

The ministry also said it will make an objective and fair decision in its probe into the allegation that prices of pork and dairy products from the EU are kept unfairly low.

It also disclosed that it is considering raising the tariffs on large-displacement-internal-combustion-engine vehicles, which would include European luxury models.

The European Commission says it will challenge China's decision at the World Trade Organization.

The commission also says it believes "these measures are unfounded, and we are determined to defend EU industry against the abuse of trade defense instruments."