China has announced the imposition of tariffs on pork imports from the European Union, up to 19.8%. This represents a notable reduction from the initial proposed tariffs of up to 62.4%. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday, following an investigation into pork imports from the EU, initiated in response to the EU’s provisional tariffs on electric vehicles produced in China.
Furthermore, China has imposed anti-dumping duties on European brandy, particularly French cognac, while some major producers have received exemptions. The Ministry has also launched anti-dumping inquiries concerning dairy product imports from the EU.
The EU is experiencing a substantial trade deficit with China, exceeding €300 billion in 2022. Despite this deficit, the EU remains a significant exporter of pork and an essential supplier of byproducts such as ears, snouts, and feet, which are regarded as delicacies in China.
In September, China announced preliminary anti-dumping duties, implemented as security deposits, ranging from 15.6% to 32.7% for pork imports from EU companies that participated in the anti-dumping investigation, with other companies facing tariffs as high as 62.4%. The Ministry of Commerce concluded that the EU has been engaging in dumping of pork and pig byproducts into China, offering these products at prices below production costs or local market prices, thereby adversely affecting China’s domestic pork industry.
The final tariff rates, ranging from 4.9% to 19.8%, are set to take effect on Wednesday and remain in place for five years. The countries most affected by these tariffs include Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The Ministry has indicated that the new tariffs will apply to various pork products, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, pickled, smoked, or salted. It has asserted that its conclusions were drawn in an “objective, fair, and impartial manner.”
It is important to note that EU exports of pork products to China peaked at €7.4 billion in 2020, as Beijing sought to meet domestic demand following significant disruptions in its pig farming industry caused by a severe swine disease. However, imports have since declined as China has successfully rebuilt its herds.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
