China probes EU pork imports amid rising tensions

China initiated an anti-dumping investigation on Monday into the import of pork and certain pig products from the EU. Targeted mainly at countries such as Spain, Netherlands, France, and Denmark, this move follows a request by a local trade organization. Last year, the import value of pork products from EU countries exceeded 21 billion Danish krone. Danish exports of pork products to China in 2023 amounted to 205,000 tons, about an eighth of total pork exports. Ulrik Bremholm, the chairman of the Danish Butchers, expressed concern about the potential impact of Chinese restrictions on the European meat industry. Tensions are rising as the EU plans to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to prevent unfair competition with state-subsized Chinese manufacturers. In response, Peter Thagesen of the Confederation of Danish Industry urged for constructive dialogue to prevent a potential trade war and highlighted the worrisome Chinese countermeasures.