China has announced the launch of an anti-dumping investigation into pork imports from the European Union. This move is the latest development in the ongoing trade tensions between the EU and China.
Pork is a popular meat in China and is a staple in the diets of many people in the country.
Imports of pork and pork by-products from EU countries amounted to over three billion dollars last year, according to data from Beijing’s customs.
The investigation was initiated in response to an application from a local trade group representing domestic producers, stated Beijing.
“The Ministry of Commerce has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of relevant pork and pig by-products from the European Union,” said the ministry in a statement.
This action comes after the EU decided to impose additional tariffs of up to 38 percent on Chinese electric car imports from next month following an anti-subsidy investigation.
The European Commission cited “unfair subsidisation” in China, claiming it posed a threat to EU electric car manufacturers.
In response, Beijing criticized the EU for protectionism and warned that it could target EU exports, including pork and dairy products.
After China’s announcement of the pork investigation, the European Commission expressed its readiness to monitor the proceedings closely in coordination with EU industry and member states.
Spain’s agriculture minister expressed hope for mutual understanding regarding the decision, as Spain is the largest exporter of pork products to China within the EU.
Aside from the pork investigation, Beijing has also launched anti-dumping investigations into brandy imported from the EU and a key engineering chemical from various countries.
The Chinese commerce ministry emphasized that domestic industries have the right to request probes into imports to protect their interests.
Germany’s economy minister is set to address the topic of tariffs during a visit to China this week.
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