China Lowers Anti-Dumping Tariffs on EU Pork Imports

On December 16, 2025, China announced a significant reduction in anti-dumping tariffs on pork imports from the European Union (EU), following a year-long investigation. The new tariff rates will range from 4.9% to 19.8%, effective from December 17, and will remain in place for five years. This decision comes after China had previously imposed temporary tariffs as high as 62.4% in September 2025, which had raised concerns among European pork exporters.

China puts anti-dumping tariff on EU pork importsChina announces tariffs on EU pork at reduced rate, as investigation concludesReutersCityLabCNBCTaipei TimesSouth China Morning PostGlobal Times

The anti-dumping investigation was initiated by China in June 2024 as a countermeasure to the EU's imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which were seen as protectionist. The investigation concluded that EU pork imports were being sold at prices below production costs, causing substantial harm to China's domestic pork industry. The EU is a major supplier of pork, accounting for over half of China's pork imports in 2024, with Spain being the largest exporter within the bloc.

China puts anti-dumping tariff on EU pork importsChina announces tariffs on EU pork at reduced rate, as investigation concludesReutersCNBCTaipei TimesCityLabSouth China Morning PostGlobal Times

The reduced tariffs are viewed as a partial relief for European producers, particularly those exporting offal products, which are less popular in other markets. However, industry representatives have expressed concerns that even the lower rates will negatively impact profit margins. The European Commission has pledged to defend its exporters, describing the investigation as based on "questionable allegations and insufficient evidence."

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The European Commission stated it is "carefully assessing all the information available against compliance with WTO rules" and has committed to defending EU farmers against what it termed "abusive use of trade defence instruments." Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas welcomed the new rates as a stabilizing factor for the domestic industry, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges posed by the tariffs.

China announces tariffs on EU pork at reduced rate, as investigation concludes

Critics within the EU have raised concerns about the implications of the tariffs on competitive conditions within the bloc. Morten Boje Hviid, CEO of Denmark's Agriculture and Food Council, noted that the final tariffs still create unequal competitive conditions, while Nemesio Sanchez, an international trade consultant, argued that China's approach is "dividing European economic policy."

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While the Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the investigation was conducted objectively, dissenting voices within the EU have questioned the validity of the findings. The EU's trade deficit with China exceeded €300 billion in 2022, highlighting the complexities of the economic relationship between the two regions.

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Looking ahead, the EU is expected to continue monitoring the situation closely, especially as China has also launched anti-subsidy investigations into EU dairy products and has imposed tariffs on EU brandy. The ongoing trade tensions may prompt further negotiations between the EU and China, particularly in light of the recent discussions surrounding electric vehicle tariffs.

China announces tariffs on EU pork at reduced rate, as investigation concludesChina puts anti-dumping tariff on EU pork importsReutersCNBCTaipei TimesCityLabSouth China Morning PostGlobal Times

• “Technically, this final ruling is an improvement compared with the preliminary tariff rates, but these definitive rates will continue to add costs to European pork exports for five years,” — Eva Gocsik, Global Strategist for Animal Protein at Rabobank.

CityLab

• “everything is reversible” — Luis Planas, Spanish Agriculture Minister.

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• “There's a sense of relief as all our abattoirs that export have been recognised as cooperating and have been granted a rate of 9.8%.” — Anne Richard, Director of Inaporc.

Reuters