China has announced that it will introduce anti dumping duties on pork imports from the European Union for a period of five years, though at reduced rates compared to the provisional tariffs imposed earlier this year. Beijing said the decision followed the conclusion of an investigation launched last year, which found that European pork imports were harming Chinas domestic industry. In a statement released on Tuesday, December 16, the commerce ministry said European pork products were being dumped, and the domestic industry suffered substantial damages as a result. Under the new policy, duties will range between 4.9 percent and 19.8 percent, a significant reduction from the temporary levies of between 15.6 percent and 62.4 percent that have been in place since September. The revised tariffs will take effect from December 17. Commenting on the move, a commerce ministry spokesperson said, At present, the domestic industry is facing difficulties, and there are strong calls for protection. The spokesperson added that the findings of the investigation were objective, fair, and impartial. The decision comes amid ongoing trade tensions between China and the European Union, with many European governments complaining about what they see as an uneven economic relationship. The EU recorded a trade deficit of more than 350 billion dollars with China in 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron recently warned that Europe could adopt tougher measures against China, including tariffs, if the imbalance is not addressed. The current dispute intensified last summer after the EU moved toward imposing heavy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, arguing that state subsidies in China unfairly disadvantaged European manufacturers. Beijing rejected those claims and responded by opening investigations into European imports of pork, brandy, and dairy products, widely viewed as retaliatory steps. China remains the worlds largest consumer of pork and imported pork products worth 4.3 billion yuan from Spain alone last year, according to Chinese customs data. France exported about 115,000 tonnes of pork to China in 2024, based on figures from industry group Inaporc. Under the new duty structure, major producers will face varying rates, with Frances Groupe Bigard set to pay 9.8 percent, while Denmarks Danish Crown will be charged 18.6 percent. European pork producers have pushed back against the measures, especially the temporary duties imposed in September, rejecting accusations of dumping. They argue that Chinese consumers often pay higher prices for cuts such as pig trotters and ears, which are less valued in Europe. Beyond trade disputes, China and the EU also remain divided over geopolitical issues, including Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While the EU has urged Beijing to pressure Moscow to end the war, China has so far shown little willingness to do so.The post China to impose anti-dumping duties on EU pork for five years following trade spat appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
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