Revenge for punitive tariffs on electric cars
China targets pork from the EU
17.06.2024, 11:47 a.m.
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Experts had expected this, and now concrete steps are being taken: Beijing is launching an anti-dumping investigation into products from the EU. Pork is particularly in the crosshairs. In fact, however, it is a reaction to tariffs decided by the EU.
China has announced an anti-dumping investigation against imported products from the European Union. The investigation is aimed at imported pork and byproducts, the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing announced. This is likely a counter-reaction by Beijing to the punitive tariffs on Chinese electric cars threatened by the EU.
The EU Commission had previously investigated China’s subsidies for electric vehicles, which Brussels believes distort the market in Europe. The Chinese state newspaper “Global Times” had already reported, citing an insider, that the Chinese industry was collecting evidence for the investigation into certain dairy products and pork from the EU. However, the newspaper did not provide any further details in the articles on X.
Products that are primarily intended for human consumption are affected, the Ministry of Commerce said. The authority cited fresh and frozen pork or slaughter by-products as examples. According to Chinese customs, China imported pork worth 23.2 billion yuan (just under 3 billion euros) last year. According to data from Brussels, the EU exported pork products worth around 2.5 billion euros to China in 2023.
Experts expected a backlash
This is not the first investigation by China into European products. In January, the Ministry of Commerce announced an investigation into brandy from the EU. This mainly affected manufacturers in France.
Experts had expected a counter-reaction from China following the EU’s threat of punitive tariffs. However, Beijing will not impose tariffs on EU products that it still needs, said Jacob Gunter of the Berlin-based MERICS institute. “These include machines, high-quality industrial goods, chemicals, medical technology and other products.” Large European car manufacturers are likely to be spared because, according to Gunter, they invest heavily in China, create jobs, pay taxes and contribute to growth.
According to Gunter, the targets are likely to be agricultural, food and beverage products that Chinese consumers can do without or that Chinese producers themselves produce in sufficient quantities, such as pork.