business
European Commission Launches Investigation Into Chinese Peking Duck Imports
The European Commission opened a probe Thursday into Chinese Peking duck imports after EU producers alleged unfair subsidies. The move occurs as the EU and China negotiate to reduce trade tensions.
Jul 9, 11:14 AM·1m read1 source
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The European Commission launched an investigation Thursday into imports of Peking duck from China after five EU producers complained that Beijing unfairly subsidizes domestic production through its five-year plan for agricultural modernisation. The Commission stated that the volume and prices of the imports had a negative impact on quantities sold, prices charged and market share held by the EU industry, resulting in substantial adverse effects on the overall performance of the sector.
The investigation could lead to anti-dumping duties on Chinese producers.
The probe follows the start of EU-China negotiations last week aimed at easing trade tensions. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao in Brussels last Monday to address imbalances that Brussels described as unsustainable. EU leaders gave the Commission a mandate in June to reduce the bloc's €1 billion-a-day trade deficit with China.
The EU already imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024, after which China launched investigations and sanctions targeting EU brandy, pork and dairy products. The Commission hopes to achieve a breakthrough in the talks by October, when Šefčovič is scheduled to travel to China. Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties remain among the EU's primary trade defence tools.
