On 5 September, China announced the implementation of provisional anti-dumping duties of 15.6% to 62.4% on pork imports from the European Union, effective 10 September. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce indicated a preliminary finding that the EU is dumping pork and pig by-products in China, contributing to ongoing trade tensions between Beijing and the EU.
The ministry stated that the pricing of EU-produced pork has caused “substantial damage” to China’s domestic pork industry, though specific details were not provided. The decision is preliminary, and cash deposits will be required from EU pork exporters, but the conditions for potential refunds remain unclear.
This action is part of a larger context of trade disputes between China and the EU. The investigation into EU pork imports began in June last year, following the EU’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. In July, China imposed anti-dumping duties on European brandy, notably cognac from France, with some exemptions for major producers.
Countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark are expected to be the most severely affected. EU pork exports to China peaked at € 7.4 billion in 2020. However, it fell to € 2.5 billion in 2023, with nearly half of that amount originating from Spain. Additionally, China is investigating the potential dumping of European dairy products.
