Beijing's probe into EU pork threatens to hurt farmers in Europe

Move could lead to tariffs and comes after bloc announced further duties on China EVs

- Joyce ZK Lim

China this week opened an anti-dumping investigation into imports of pork from the European Union, paving the way for possible tariffs on the favourite meat of the Chinese people.

The announcement by China's Commerce Ministry on June 17 came just five days after the EU said it would levy additional duties of up to 38.1 per cent on its imports of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) from July 4.

This latest salvo amid trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels is unlikely to have an impact on Chinese consumers, analysts told The Straits Times, as the country is basically self-sufficient - and even battling domestic oversupply - in its pork production.

Instead, it is European farmers and producers who will bear the brunt of any tariffs imposed by the world's largest pork market, they added.

China's anti-dumping investigation covers imports from the EU of pork, as well as by-products that include fat and offal.

It should conclude by June 17, 2025, but might be extended by another six months if necessary, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

The probe was initiated by the China Animal Agriculture Association, citing "a large amount of overcapacity" in EU pork production and market-distorting subsidies granted by the bloc and its member states. The association said that EU producers' low-priced dumping had affected China's own industries.

The EU is China's largest overseas pork supplier, accounting for 54 per cent of the Asian giant's imports of the pork products under investigation between 2020 and 2023, said the association.