China has announced that it will impose anti‑dumping duties on pork imports from the European Union for five years. The duties, ranging from 4.9 percent to 19.8 percent, are lower than the temporary levies that have been in place since September. The decision follows a probe by China’s commerce ministry that found 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 runs a significant trade deficit with China—over $350 billion in 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the EU will consider strong measures, including tariffs, if the imbalance is not addressed. Tensions escalated last summer when the EU moved to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, citing unfair subsidies. China denied the claims and launched investigations 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 duties, denying allegations of dumping and arguing that Chinese consumers pay more for products that are often ignored in Europe.
These trade tensions are part of a broader set of issues, including disagreements over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU has urged China to pressure Moscow to end the war, but Beijing has shown no sign of acceding. The anti‑dumping duties on EU pork are likely to further strain relations between the two trading partners. The duties will take effect on December 17 and remain in place for five years, marking a significant development in the ongoing China‑EU trade dispute and signaling challenges ahead for their complex economic relationship.
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