China opens tit-for-tat anti-dumping probe into European pork

BEIJING (Reuters) -- China has opened an anti-dumping investigation into imported pork and its by-products from the European Union, a step that appears mainly targeted at Spain, the Netherlands, France and Denmark in response to curbs on its electric vehicle exports.

The investigation announced by China's commerce ministry on Monday will focus on pork intended for human consumption, such as fresh, cold and frozen whole cuts, as well as pig intestines, bladders and stomachs. The probe will begin on June 17.

It was prompted by a complaint submitted by the China Animal Husbandry Association on June 6 on behalf of the domestic pork industry, the ministry said.

Following the European Commission's June 12 announcement that it would impose anti-subsidy duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese cars from July, global food companies have been on high alert for retaliatory tariffs from China, owing to reports in the country's state media.

The state-backed Global Times newspaper first reported late last month that Chinese firms planned to ask authorities to open an anti-dumping investigation into some European pork products, citing an unidentified "business insider".

That was followed by a second report in the same outlet on June 8 requesting officials probe European dairy imports.

Chinese authorities have previously dropped hints about possible retaliatory measures through state media commentaries and interviews with industry figures.

China imported $6 billion worth of pork in 2023, including offal, with the EU accounting for more than half, according to customs data.

Spain accounted for $1.5 billion worth of outbound swine shipments from the bloc, almost three times as much as second and third ranking the Netherlands and Denmark, which