The agreement was announced on Friday by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during his visit to Beijing. It comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, prompting Beijing to respond with its own 125% duties on American goods.
“In a time of significant global trade turbulence caused by the tariff crisis, we view this gesture by China with optimism and hope,” said the National Association of Spanish Meat Industries (ANICE). “It opens new opportunities for the export of pork products.”
Notably, the deal includes the authorisation of pork stomach exports—a popular product in China but previously not allowed under the existing trade framework. Daniel de Miguel, international manager at Interporc (Spain’s pork producers association), highlighted the significance of this addition.
Analysts suggest that this deal could indicate a potential softening of China's ongoing anti-dumping investigation into EU pork, which began last year in retaliation for the EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
This investigation poses a particular threat to Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark—major EU pork exporters to China. Much of the EU’s pork exports to China include parts such as pig ears, noses, feet, and offal, which are not commonly consumed in Europe but are in high demand in China.
“This is great news for Spanish pig farmers,” said Even Rogers Pay, an agriculture analyst at Trivium China. “It suggests that Chinese regulators might delay or ease the pork investigation, much like they recently did with brandy.”
Indeed, China recently extended its anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy and is in talks with the EU to establish minimum prices for Chinese electric vehicles.
“This move is part of a broader effort by Beijing to stabilise and improve its trade relations with key global partners, including the EU,” Pay added.
Meanwhile, the European Union has delayed its own planned countermeasures against U.S. imports—valued at around €21 billion ($23.85 billion)—after President Trump announced a 90-day suspension of new tariffs for dozens of countries.
The EU is still considering how to respond to U.S. car tariffs and the broader 10% duties that remain in place.
In 2024, China imported $4.8 billion worth of pork (including offal), more than half of which came from the European Union, with Spain leading in volume. China’s pork investigation is currently scheduled to conclude by June 17, but it could be extended.
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