Beijing’s probe into EU pork threatens to hurt farmers in Europe

China this week opened an anti-dumping investigation into imports of pork from the EU, paving the way for possible tariffs on the favourite meat of the Chinese people. The announcement by China’s Commerce Ministry on June 17 came just five days after the EU said it would levy additional duties of up to 38.1per cent on its imports of Chinese electric vehicles from July 4. Asst Prof Dylan Loh from the Public Policy and Global Affairs Division at NTU told ST that China’s probe into EU pork follows the country’s time-tested strategy of targeting agricultural products when trade disputes arise. It also “has the added advantage of putting European farmers and agri-businesses on notice – which are a significant political force if they can be mobilised”, he added.

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