Related readings: US set to impose duties on aluminum  EU to end duties on Chinese shoes

BRUSSELS - European Union governments on Thursday endorsed a five-year import tariff worth up to 39.1 percent on imports of glossy paper from China, the EU's first challenge against Chinese state subsidies, an industry source told Reuters.

Representatives from EU capitals gave majority backing to the duties during a meeting of a secretive committee that sets trade tariffs, the source said. Barring last-minute reversals, the duties must launch by May 17 under EU law, replacing provisional duties in place since late last year.

The European Union's executive Commission proposed the long-term duties after it found that China gives illegal subsidies to its paper makers, and that exporters dump paper on the EU market at artificially low prices. China has denied this.