China has officially announced it will impose anti-dumping duties on pork imports from the European Union for a period of five years. This final decision, however, comes with significantly lower tariff rates compared to the temporary measures that were in place.
Final Tariffs Set After Investigation
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated on Tuesday, December 16, that its investigation, launched last year, concluded that European pork products were being dumped in the Chinese market, causing substantial damage to domestic producers. A ministry spokesperson emphasized the findings were "objective, fair, and impartial" and that the domestic industry faced difficulties requiring protection.
Under the new policy, which takes effect from December 17, the duties will range between 4.9 percent and 19.8 percent. This marks a major reduction from the provisional tariffs of between 15.6 percent and 62.4 percent that had been applied since September this year.
A Move Amid Deepening Trade Tensions
This decision is set against a backdrop of ongoing trade disputes between Beijing and Brussels. The EU recorded a massive trade deficit of over $350 billion with China in 2024, fueling complaints about an uneven economic relationship.
The current friction intensified after the EU moved towards imposing heavy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, citing unfair state subsidies. Beijing viewed this as protectionist and responded by opening probes into European pork, brandy, and dairy imports—actions widely seen as retaliatory.
French President Emmanuel Macron has recently warned Europe could adopt tougher measures, including tariffs, if the trade imbalance is not corrected.
Impact on Major Producers and Market
The new duty structure will affect major EU pork exporters differently. For instance, France's Groupe Bigard will face a 9.8 percent duty, while Denmark's Danish Crown will be charged 18.6 percent.
European producers have consistently rejected the dumping accusations. They argue that cuts like pig trotters and ears, which are highly valued in China, often fetch higher prices there than in Europe.
China is the world's top pork consumer. According to Chinese customs data, it imported pork products worth 4.3 billion yuan from Spain alone last year. French industry figures show France exported about 115,000 tonnes of pork to China in 2024.
Beyond trade, China and the EU remain divided on geopolitical issues like the war in Ukraine, with Brussels urging Beijing to pressure Moscow, a call China has largely ignored.
