China may impose anti-dumping measures on pork imports from the EU

China may impose temporary anti-dumping measures on pork imports from the European Union, Reuters reports.

Beijing has launched a year-long investigation into pork in the bloc and its offal. This step is primarily directed against Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark. Before that, the EU introduced anti-subsidy duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

The investigation will focus on pork intended for human consumption – fresh, cold and frozen whole cuts, as well as pork intestines, bladders and stomachs.

The investigation is expected to be completed by June 17, 2025, but may be extended for another six months if necessary.

“If the preliminary investigation finds that dumping has caused damage to the domestic industry, temporary anti-dumping measures may be taken,” said He Yadong, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce.

According to Chinese customs data, in 2023, China imported $6 billion worth of pork, including offal, and more than half of this volume came from the EU.

Spain, France, Denmark and the Netherlands are the largest suppliers of pork from the bloc to China. “These measures could have a bad impact on Europe, as much of the pork supplied to China is pork ears, noses and feet, which Europeans rarely consume,” Reuters adds.

As a reminder, on June 12, the European Commission announced an increase in the size of the duty on Chinese electric vehicles – up to 38.1%, which will take effect on July 4.

The EU de facto provoked a trade war with China, which said it would take retaliatory measures. The preliminary duties were imposed after a months-long investigation into state aid to Chinese electric car manufacturers. Beijing is now threatening to retaliate against European farmers and aircraft manufacturers and has launched an anti-dumping investigation against French spirits producers.

Tags: pork, EU, restrictions, China