Key facts
- The European Commission has initiated an investigation into Chinese Pekin duck imports.
- The investigation was prompted by complaints from several EU producers regarding unfairly low prices.
- Complainants allege that China is unfairly subsidizing domestic production through its agricultural modernization plan.
- The EU aims to protect its market from cheap Chinese imports, which has led to trade tensions.
- The probe could disrupt ongoing trade negotiations between the EU and Beijing.
- The EU previously imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024.
The European Commission has launched an investigation into Chinese Pekin duck imports, responding to complaints from EU farmers that cheap imports are harming their industry. This probe follows a complaint by five EU producers who allege that China is unfairly subsidizing its domestic production through its five-year plan for agricultural modernization.
The investigation comes at a time of significant trade tensions between the European Union and Beijing. The EU is seeking to protect its market from what it perceives as unfairly priced Chinese imports, a move that has drawn criticism from China. The two sides had recently begun negotiations to ease these tensions, but the new investigation into duck imports could potentially disrupt these talks by targeting China's agricultural sector.
According to the Commission, the volume and prices of Chinese imports have had a "negative impact on the quantities sold, the level of prices charged and market share held by the Union industry," leading to "substantial adverse effects on the overall performance" of the sector. The investigation could result in the imposition of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on Chinese producers.
EU leaders have given the Commission a mandate to reduce the EU's substantial trade deficit with China, which stands at approximately €1 billion per day. The EU executive is tasked with reviewing trade defense tools and engaging in dialogue with Beijing to achieve tangible results. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao, last week to initiate discussions aimed at creating a more level playing field and addressing trade imbalances that Brussels deems unsustainable.
This action follows the EU's imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024, which led to retaliatory investigations and sanctions from China targeting EU brandy, pork, and dairy products. The EU is hoping for a breakthrough in negotiations with Beijing by October, when Šefčovič is scheduled to visit China.