According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, a preliminary investigation into EU pork imports revealed evidence of dumping that harmed the domestic industry. As a result, the duties will take effect starting September 10.
Who Will Be Hit the Hardest
European companies that cooperated with the investigation — including Spanish, Danish, and Dutch producers — were assigned tariffs ranging from 15.6% to 32.7%. All other EU exporters will face the maximum rate of 62.4%.
Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark are expected to be most affected, as they are the leading suppliers of pork to China. A significant share of exports consists of offal — ears, snouts, and feet — highly valued in Chinese cuisine but with virtually no alternative markets.
Political Context
China launched the investigation in June 2024, widely seen as a retaliatory response to the EU’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. European pork producers had hoped that the six-month extension of the investigation in June this year signaled a willingness to negotiate mutual concessions. However, the new duties suggest such a scenario is increasingly unlikely.
“The investigation was extended until December, but that leaves only a few months to find a diplomatic solution. The chances of reaching one are increasingly slim,” said Even Rogers Pay, an analyst at Beijing-based Trivium China.
Outlook
The Ministry of Commerce emphasized that it remains open to resolving trade disputes with the EU through dialogue and consultations. However, experts note that in similar cases, China’s preliminary measures often stayed in place even after the investigations were completed, as happened with Canadian canola.
Beijing’s decision poses serious risks for the European pork sector, as China is one of the world’s largest importers of pork, and alternative markets for specific products such as offal are virtually nonexistent.
PigUA.info based on materials from thepigsite.com