China Extends EU Pork Probe Amidst EV Tariff Talks
China Delays EU Pork Import Decision Amidst EV Tariff Talks
BEIJING, CHINA – 10 June 2025 – China has extended its high-profile investigation into imported pork from the European Union (EU) by six months, a decision made just days before its original conclusion date. This move by Beijing comes as negotiators from Brussels and Beijing continue to carve out a deal over the EU’s electric vehicle (EV) tariffs, as reported by Reuters.
The pork import probe, launched in June last year, is widely perceived as a retaliatory measure for EU tariffs imposed on Chinese EV exports. It has impacted over $2 billion (£1.57 billion) in pork exports, primarily from major EU producers such as Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark. China, the world’s largest consumer of pork, has now decided to prolong the investigation period to 16 December 2025, citing the “complexity” of the case, according to a statement from the country’s commerce ministry.
This delay aligns with broader efforts by China and the EU to reach a resolution on the contentious EV tariffs. Beijing has already extended its anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy and has offered to expedite rare earth magnet export licences for European firms, indicating a tactical approach to the ongoing trade disputes.
A significant portion of the EU’s pork shipments to China comprises offal – including pig ears, noses, and feet – which are highly valued in Chinese cuisine but have limited alternative destinations. In 2024, China imported $4.8 billion (£3.77 billion) worth of pork, including offal, with over half of this volume originating from the EU, and Spain leading the bloc in export volume.
The extension of the probe has been met with cautious welcome from industry representatives in the EU, collectively the world’s largest pork exporter. Anne Richard, director of French pork industry association INAPORC, stated, “We’d rather that they take the time for consultations before any decision.” Similarly, Giuseppe Aloisio, director general of Spain’s meat industry association ANICE, commented that while it means “six more months of waiting, which means the cloud hanging over us will remain, but we remain confident and calm.”
In a previous gesture signaling openness to a deal, China expanded access for Spanish cherries and some pork products in April. This prolonged investigation keeps pressure on the EU’s meat processing sector and highlights the intricate relationship between various trade disputes.
Reporting by Ryan Woo and Ella Cao; additional reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris, Emma Pinedo in Madrid and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen in Copenhagen; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Saad Sayeed and David Evans. Source: Reuters.
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