The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) Photo: VCG

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on Friday that it will convene a public hearing in the coming days concerning the anti-dumping investigation into certain pork and pig by-products imported from the European Union (EU), in line with relevant regulations, per the ministry.

The hearing will address key issues in the preliminary determination, including dumping margins, injury to China's domestic industry, and the causality between the two, according to a notice issued by the Trade Remedy and Investigation Bureau of MOFCOM.

The decision came at the request of a joint application by the European Commission and France's pork industry association, Le Porc Francais (INAPORC), per the MOFCOM notice. It was made in line with China's Anti-Dumping Regulations and the ministry's Rules on Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty Hearings, in order to ensure that the investigation process is fair, impartial, and transparent, per the ministry's notice.

China has always handled trade frictions with the EU and other economies within the framework of WTO rules, which aligns with the basic principles and stance of the international community in addressing economic and trade disputes, Yang Chengyu, an associate research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.

"The conclusion of the probe was reached through hearings and multiple channels of international inquiry, reflecting China's active response to the concerns of relevant parties and its openness and transparency throughout the investigation and decision-making process," Yang said.

"This approach sets China apart from the unilateral practices of certain countries and highlights its strong commitment to multilateral rules," Yang added.

China on June 17, 2024 started an anti-dumping investigation into certain pork and pig by-products imported from the EU, in response to an application submitted by the domestic industry. But given the complexity of the case, the investigation, initially scheduled to conclude before June 17 this year, has already been extended to December 16, 2025, according to MOFCOM.

On September 5, the ministry announced the implementation of temporary anti-dumping measures on certain pork and pig by-products originating from the EU, starting September 10, according to a preliminary ruling, citing substantial damage to the related domestic industry.

Since the initiation of the case, MOFCOM has conducted the investigation in strict accordance with Chinese laws, regulations, and relevant WTO rules, adhering to the principles of fairness, impartiality, openness, and transparency, a MOFCOM spokesperson said in a statement at the time. 

Preliminary evidence indicates that EU pork imports have been dumped on the Chinese market, causing material injury to the domestic industry. Therefore, the ministry has determined dumping margins ranging from 15.6 percent to 62.4 percent for EU companies and decided to impose provisional anti-dumping measures, per the statement.

Spanish media recently reported that Europe's pork industry may ultimately pay the price for problems caused by the automotive sector, with several Spanish pork industry associations and companies urging both sides to resolve the frictions through dialogues to achieve mutual benefits.

Commenting on the reports, a MOFCOM spokesperson said on September 18 that during the investigation, China maintained good communication with relevant EU companies, industry associations, and member state governments, carefully considering input from all parties, and will continue to advance the investigation in line with laws and regulations.

China has consistently exercised caution and restraint in applying trade remedy measures. So far this year, China has not initiated any original investigations against the EU and has issued rulings in only three cases. However, the EU has already launched seven original investigations against China this year, and has issued preliminary or final rulings in 28 cases, MOFCOM data showed.

Yang emphasized that the root of the current China-EU trade disputes lies squarely with the EU's rising trade protectionism. "For the relationship to return to a win-win track, the EU must adjust its trade policies toward China," he said.

Friday's notice said that interested parties wishing to participate must submit the official registration form by October 23, 2025. Parties intending to speak must also submit a written summary of their arguments and supporting evidence, and all hearing materials and proceedings will be conducted in Chinese, according to Friday's notice.

Global Times