Trade War? China Launches Anti-Dumping Investigation into EU Pork Imports

China has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into pork imports from the European Union (EU), escalating trade tensions less than a week after Brussels announced it would impose tariffs on electric vehicle shipments from China.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the investigation—which, according to the European agricultural industry, will primarily impact farmers in Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and Belgium—will focus on pork imports from the EU in 2023. The investigation is expected to last up to a year, with the possibility of a six-month extension.

In recent years, the EU has been exporting large quantities of low-priced pork and pork products to China, affecting the Chinese pork industry as well as the related agricultural sector and farmers.

This announcement follows Brussels’ notification to automakers on Wednesday that it would increase tariffs by up to nearly 50% on some producers as part of an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.

By launching the anti-dumping investigation into pork, following a previous action against brandy, Beijing aims to pressure individual European governments to push the European Commission to remove the electric vehicle tariffs before they are confirmed on July 4.

EU member states will also vote on the tariffs, likely at the end of October. The tariffs could be blocked if 15 states vote against them.

Berlin has already expressed opposition to the electric vehicle tariffs. Spain has been wavering, while France has firmly supported them.