China issues anti-dumping ruling on European pork, charges deposits

China has made a preliminary determination that Europe is dumping pork and pork by-products into its market, causing “material injury” to the domestic industry, Beijing’s Ministry of Commerce said on Friday.

The announcement, which carries a “provisional anti-dumping measure” in the form of cash deposits, marks an escalation in China-EU trade tensions after major French cognac producers were exempted from punitive levies stemming from a separate investigation.

“Starting September 10, importers of the products under investigation shall, based on the margin of deposit determined for each company in this preliminary ruling, provide corresponding deposits,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the deposits will be provided to China’s General Administration of Customs.

Chinese analysts saw the ruling as an indication of the country’s strengthened position and a justified response to similar probes by the EU into Chinese exports.

“The EU lacks genuine strategic autonomy and often seeks to appease the United States, aligning with it to counter China. Beyond commenting on Ukraine, the EU has also criticized China’s recent military parade,” said Wang Yiwei, a professor at Renmin University’s School of International Studies in Beijing.

“As the EU continues to launch anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations against China, it is necessary for China to take corresponding countermeasures to safeguard its interests.”