China initiates an anti-dumping probe into EU pork imports.
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China initiates Anti-Dumping probe on EU products, focusing on pork and related goods. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce in Beijing made the announcement. This move could be retaliation for the EU's planned tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The EU Commission had earlier probed China's subsidies for electric vehicles, claiming they skewed the European market.
Chinese state-owned newspaper, Global Times, reported earlier, hinting at an investigation against specific dairy products and pork from the EU, without providing detailed information.
Mainly food items under scrutiny
The Ministry of Commerce identified items primarily meant for human consumption as the ones being investigated. fresh and frozen pork, or slaughterhouse by-products were examples provided. According to Chinese customs data, China imported pork worth approximately 3 billion Euros in the previous year. The EU exported pork products valued at around 2.5 billion Euros to China in 2023, as per Brussels data.
China has previously initiated investigations against European products. In January, the Ministry of Commerce announced an investigation against EU Brandy, primarily impacting producers in France.
Experts predict countermeasures
Experts anticipated countermeasures from China in response to the EU's tariff threat. Jacob Gunter from the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin opined that Beijing wouldn't impose tariffs on products it still needs, such as machines, high-end industrial goods, chemicals, medical technology, and other goods. Large European automobile manufacturers may avoided, as Gunter explained, due to their significant investments, job creation, tax payments, and contributions to China's growth.
However, Gunter added, agricultural, food, and beverage products could be targeted, especially those that Chinese consumers can replace or that Chinese producers can produce in sufficient quantities, such as pork.
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After China initiated an anti-dumping probe on EU products, focusing on pork and related goods, some experts predicted countermeasures from China. These could potentially include punitive tariffs on EU pork exports, given the significant value of imports (approximately 3 billion Euros in the previous year) and China's ability to produce alternative pork supplies. This move can be seen as retaliation for the EU's planned tariffs on Chinese E-cars, as the EU Commission had earlier probed China's subsidies for electric vehicles, claiming they skewed the European market.
