China spared major cognac producers Pernod Ricard, LVMH and Remy Cointreau from hefty duties on EU brandy on Friday, a rare bright spot at a time of trade tensions between Brussels and Beijing as the two sides row over tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.

China on Friday imposed anti-dumping duties on European brandy, most notably cognac produced in France, as trade tensions between Beijing and United States allies continue to rise.Chinese authorities agreed to exempt some major cognac makers on condition they maintain their prices above minimum levels.

The move comes as China’s foreign minister is touring Belgium, France and Germany in an effort to bolster ties with the bloc amid trade tensions with Washington.

At the heart of Trump’s latest trade deal with Vietnam and talks with other trading partners is an effort to counter what he sees as China’s unfair practices to circumvent U.S. tariffs.

New deal includes steep tariffs on “transshipped” goods from countries like China that route through Vietnam. President Donald Trump was going to notch 90 trade deals in 90 days. Easy. Art of the deal.

President Donald Trump’s new trade deal with Vietnam sends a clear signal about where US tariffs on Chinese goods might ultimately land, as talks between Washington and Beijing continue following their recent truce.