China initiated an anti-dumping investigation into pork imports from the European Union on Monday. This move escalates tensions in an ongoing trade stand-off between the two economic giants.
Pork is China’s most popular meat and a staple of diets in the world’s second most populous nation.
Imports of pork and pork by-products from EU nations totalled over three billion dollars last year, Beijing’s customs data showed.
Monday’s probe is in response to an application submitted by a local trade grouping on behalf of domestic producers, Beijing said.
“The Ministry of Commerce has opened an anti-dumping investigation into imports of relevant pork and pig by-products originating from the European Union,” the ministry said in a statement.
The bloc decided last week to impose up to 38% tariffs on Chinese electric car imports starting next month.
The European Commission cited “unfair subsidization” by China, which it claims poses an economic threat to EU electric car manufacturers.
The European Commission has proposed provisional hikes of tariffs on Chinese manufacturers of 17.4 percent for market major BYD, 20 percent for Geely and 38.1 percent for SAIC.
The EU said the amount depended on the level of state subsidies received by the firms.
China has initiated a tit-for-tat anti-dumping investigation into European pork, marking a significant escalation in trade tensions. This move comes in response to previous actions taken by the European Union against Chinese imports.
Moreover, the investigation underscores China’s determination to protect its agricultural sector amidst growing global trade disputes and economic competition.
Additionally, both sides are closely monitoring developments as the trade conflict continues to unfold on international platforms.
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