China has announced that it will impose anti-dumping duties on pork imports from the European Union for a period of five years. The duties, which range from 4.9 percent to 19.8 percent, are lower than the temporary levies that have been in place since September. This decision comes after a probe by China’s commerce ministry found that European pork imports were being dumped, causing substantial damage to the domestic industry.
The trade spat between China and the EU has been ongoing, with many European countries viewing their economic relationship with China as unbalanced. The EU has a significant trade deficit with China, with a deficit of over $350 billion in 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the EU will consider adopting strong measures, including tariffs, if the trade imbalance is not addressed.
The current tensions began last summer when the EU moved to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, citing unfair subsidies. China denied the claims and launched probes into imported European pork, brandy, and dairy products. China is the world’s leading consumer of pork, and imported $600 million worth of pork products from Spain alone last year.
The new duties will affect major European pork producers, including Groupe Bigard and Danish Crown, which will be charged 9.8 percent and 18.6 percent respectively. European producers have criticized the imposition of duties, denying allegations of dumping and arguing that Chinese consumers pay more for products that are often ignored in Europe.
The trade tensions between China and the EU are part of a broader set of issues, including disagreements over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU has urged China to exert pressure on Moscow to end the war, but Beijing has shown no sign of acceding. The imposition of anti-dumping duties on EU pork is likely to further strain relations between the two trading partners.
The duties will come into effect on December 17 and will remain in place for five years. The decision is seen as a significant development in the ongoing trade spat between China and the EU, and is likely to have implications for the global trade landscape. As the two sides continue to navigate their complex economic relationship, the imposition of anti-dumping duties on EU pork is a clear indication of the challenges that lie ahead.