• China will impose anti-dumping duties on EU pork imports ranging from 4.9% to 19.8% for five years.
• The new rates are significantly lower than the temporary duties of up to 62.4% imposed earlier.
• This ruling follows an 18-month investigation into alleged dumping practices by EU exporters.
• The move comes amid escalating trade tensions between China and the EU over electric vehicles and agricultural imports.
• Spain's pork producers will face the lowest tariffs, reflecting their significant export relationship with China.

China's Ministry of Commerce has confirmed the implementation of anti-dumping duties on European Union pork imports, set to range from 4.9% to 19.8%, effective from December 17. This marks a decrease from the temporary duties of up to 62.4% announced previously during a preliminary ruling in September. The duties will remain in place for five years following a detailed investigation that concluded these imports were harming China's domestic pork industry, which faces significant operational challenges, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Le Monde.

This decision is seen as a partial reprieve for European pork producers, especially for Spain, which exported over 280,000 tonnes of pork to China last year. While the reduced tariffs provide some relief, they are still expected to adversely impact margins, particularly on offal products that are not widely consumed in other nations. "Having said that, we can't exactly rejoice at the prospect of a tax," remarked Anne Richard, director of the French pork industry association Inaporc, as reported by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The anti-dumping investigation, which began in June of last year, has been linked to an ongoing trade conflict between China and the EU, particularly regarding EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. This escalation reflects a broader trend of economic tension, with both sides entangled in various trade disputes. The European Commission has expressed concerns over these duties as "based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence," pledging to defend its farmers and exporters, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

Amid this backdrop, Chinese pork prices have been falling due to a supply glut coupled with weak consumer demand, which might be slightly alleviated by the imposition of these new tariffs. The directive allows Chinese pig farming companies to gain some price stability, as commented by Even Rogers Pay from Trivium China, emphasizing the ongoing challenges within the domestic market. This illustrates the complex interplay of trade policies and market conditions affecting both Chinese and European producers, as noted by Channel News Asia, Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Le Monde.