Joe Cash
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese firms reserve the right to demand anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations into European imports of dairy products and pork, the country’s commerce ministry said on Thursday when asked whether industry groups were lobbying to do so.
Following the European Commission’s announcement on Wednesday that it would impose additional tariffs of up to 38.1% on electric vehicles imported from China from July, global food companies are on high alert for possible retaliatory tariffs from China, as are companies in other countries. sectors.
“Regarding the issue you mentioned, China’s domestic industry reserves the right to apply for an investigation to protect normal market competition and its legitimate rights and interests,” Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong said in response to a question. from Reuters.
Chinese state media reported that domestic companies are preparing to request such investigations, which could lead to a lengthy trade suspension.
The state-backed Global Times reported Saturday that Chinese companies planned to ask authorities to launch an anti-subsidy investigation into some EU dairy products and an anti-dumping investigation into some European pork products, both times citing an unidentified “business.” insider.”
In January, China launched an anti-dumping investigation into brandy imported from the EU following a complaint filed by the China Liquor Association on behalf of the domestic brandy industry.
Chinese authorities have previously hinted at possible retaliatory measures in state media comments and interviews with industry representatives.
A Commerce Department spokesman said an “investigative body” would look into any hypothetical claim and make a public statement if it meets the “conditions of filing.”