China Imposes Up to 19.8% Anti-Dumping Duties on EU Pork

Investigation Launched Amid Trade Disputes Over Electric Vehicles
Final Decision Made After Over a Year

China has finalized the imposition of anti-dumping duties on pork products from the European Union (EU).

The Ministry of Commerce of China announced on its website on December 16 that it had found evidence of dumping in pork and pork by-products imported from the EU, which has caused substantial damage to domestic industries, and confirmed a causal relationship between the two. As a result, anti-dumping duties ranging from 4.9% to 19.8% will be applied for the next five years starting from December 17.

The Ministry of Commerce of China decided to launch an anti-dumping investigation into EU pork and by-products on June 17 of last year, and one year later, on June 10 of this year, extended the investigation deadline by six months until this day.

Yonhap News Agency

Prior to the announcement of the final results, China had been imposing provisional anti-dumping duties of up to 62.4% on EU pork since September. Spain, Denmark, and the Netherlands, which cooperated with the investigation, faced duty rates of 15.6% to 32.7%, while other countries were subject to a 62.4% rate. Although anti-dumping duties on EU pork imports were finalized on this day, the maximum rate was lowered to 19.8%, compared to the provisional duties. The Ministry of Commerce explained that companies that have paid provisional duties in the form of deposits since September will be eligible for a refund of the difference.

The issue of EU pork has been one of the major trade friction points between China and the EU since last year. After the EU imposed countervailing duties on Chinese electric vehicles, some interpreted China's move to target EU agricultural products, livestock products, and brandy as a retaliatory measure.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated, "Currently, domestic industries are facing management difficulties and there is a strong demand for protection. Against this backdrop, the Ministry conducted the investigation in accordance with regulations, widely collected opinions from stakeholders, and fully ensured the rights of all parties involved."