Pork sellers tend to customers at a market in Beijing
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Monday the opening of an anti-dumping investigation into imports of pork and its by-products from the European Union (EU), marking a further escalation of trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels.
This measure, which could lead to customs duties, comes a few days after the EU’s decision to impose additional customs tariffs on imports of Chinese electric vehicles.
The EU decision had raised fears of retaliatory measures from China, particularly on imports of dairy products and pork.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the investigation, which will begin on June 17, follows a complaint filed by the China Livestock Association on June 6.
It will take place over a year and could be extended by six months if necessary.
A spokesperson for the European Commission said on Monday that the Twenty-Seven were not concerned about the opening of the investigation, adding that the EU would intervene appropriately during the procedure to verify that it complies with all the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Along with Spain, France, the Netherlands and Denmark are important suppliers of pork to China, which constitutes an important outlet for the parts of pork that are not consumed in Europe.
The investigation announced Monday by China’s Ministry of Commerce will focus on pork intended for human consumption, such as fresh, cold and frozen whole cuts, as well as pig intestines, bladders and stomachs.
In Madrid, Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas called for negotiations to avoid the introduction of customs duties on pork exports.
“I hope and expect that there will be room for understanding, for negotiation and to avoid the imposition of customs duties on agricultural and food products,” he said. said in front of journalists.
(Written by Joe Cash, Albee Zhang and Ella Cao; with Emma Pinedo in Madrid and Charlotte Van Campenhout in Brussels, Blandine Hénault and Augustin Turpin for the French version)
