Hennessy Employees Strike Over China Bottling Plans

Around 500 employees at Hennessy, a leading cognac producer owned by LVMH, have initiated a strike in response to proposed plans to bottle cognac in China to avoid new Chinese tariffs. The move follows China's imposition of over 30% duties on bottled brandy imports from the EU, aimed at countering perceived unfair competition from European electric vehicle tariffs. Workers fear that relocating bottling operations could jeopardize local jobs and diminish the quality and identity of the cognac brand. Union representatives have voiced concerns that this strategy represents a significant shift in production practices, which could set a precedent for other manufacturers in the industry. Meanwhile, industry bodies are pushing for government intervention to navigate the escalating tariff disputes. Hennessy has not yet confirmed the plans or responded to the strike.