China imposes restrictions on EU pork imports
China has commenced an Anti-Dumping probe on EU goods, specifically focusing on imported pork and related items, as declared by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. This move is potentially a retaliatory measure by Beijing against the prospective EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Initially, the EU Commission scrutinized Chinese subsidies in the electric vehicle sector, claiming these interfered with the European market. The state-owned Chinese newspaper "Global Times" previously reported, quoting a source, that the Chinese industry was gathering evidence for an investigation against certain dairy products and pork from the EU. However, the newspaper did not offer further insights in its reports regarding X.
The investigation targets products primarily meant for human consumption, the Ministry of Commerce added. It cited fresh and frozen pork, as well as slaughterhouse by-products, as examples. According to Chinese customs data, China imported pork valued at approximately 23.2 billion Yuan (approximately 3 billion Euros) in the previous year. According to data from Brussels, the EU exported pork products valued at around 2.5 billion Euros to China in 2023.
Experts anticipated countermeasures
This is not the first probe by China against European goods. In January, the Ministry of Commerce announced an investigation against Brandy from the EU, primarily impacting manufacturers in France.
Experts had anticipated countermeasures from China after the tariff threat from the EU. Jacob Gunter from the Berlin-based Institute MERICS stated, "Beijing will not impose tariffs on EU products it still requires. These include machinery, high-end industrial goods, chemicals, medical technology, and other products." Large European automobile manufacturers may evade sanctions, according to Gunter, as they heavily invest in China, create jobs, pay taxes, and boost growth.
However, agricultural, food, and beverage products could be subject to sanctions, according to Gunter, as these can be replaced by Chinese consumers or produced in adequate quantities domestically, such as pork.
