China imposes temporary tariffs on EU pork after anti-dumping investigation

China has imposed temporary tariffs on pork imports from the European Union. The country will set preliminary duties ranging from 15.6% to 62.4% on meat shipments.

Such measures could disrupt supplies from one of the world’s largest suppliers and further exacerbate trade tensions between Brussels and Beijing.

The tariffs are being imposed against the backdrop of China’s problems with a surplus of pork on its domestic market and weak consumer demand during a prolonged economic downturn. At the same time, high tariffs could deal a new blow to European pig farmers, who are already facing a decline in demand and the consequences of disease outbreaks.

Beijing launched an anti-dumping investigation into supplies from the EU in June as part of its countermeasures after the EU launched an investigation into Chinese subsidies in various industries. Last October, the EU voted to impose tariffs of up to 45% on electric cars from China.

Tags: China, pork, USA, duties