EU Launches Anti-Dumping Probe into Beijing Duck... Chinese Media Decry "Unilateral Suspicion"

"The Essence of the Anti-Dumping Probe Is Competitive Pressure"
"Allegations of Price and Cost Distortion"

As the European Union (EU) has launched an anti-dumping investigation targeting Chinese duck meat, local Chinese media and industry have reacted strongly, calling the move a "unilateral suspicion."

On July 20, China’s Hongxing News reported, "This is the first case in which the EU has resorted to trade defense instruments against Chinese agricultural products."

The European Union (EU) has launched an anti-dumping investigation targeting duck meat from China, prompting strong backlash from Chinese local media and industry, which called it a "one-sided suspicion." Photo to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay.

EU Claims "Chinese Duck Farms Are Receiving Government Support"

Previously, on July 9, The Financial Times (FT) and other foreign outlets reported that "the EU Commission has deemed the daily trade deficit with China, reaching 1 billion euros, unsustainable." According to these reports, the EU claims that Chinese duck farms are receiving subsidies, low-interest loans, and low-cost feed support as part of China's national five-year plan. The reports also highlighted that, in regions such as Shandong Province, local clusters for duck feed production have been formed and are allegedly receiving government support.

European farmers have complained that cheap Chinese duck meat is flooding the market, eroding their share. The European poultry industry association, Avec, expressed hopes that an anti-dumping tariff would be imposed quickly at a level sufficient to restore fair trade.

The "Beijing duck," which is famous as "Peking duck," is also a popular dish in Europe. According to Reuters, the EU duck market reached a size of 800 million euros (approximately KRW 1.3546 trillion) last year, of which 199 million euros (approximately KRW 336.993 billion) were imports from China.

Product Under Investigation Differs from Exported Goods

In response, Hongxing News argued that the core of the EU’s anti-dumping probe is competitive pressure, questioning, "Exactly what type of duck is being accused of dumping?" The outlet also claimed that the types of duck meat exported from China are not covered by the investigation, stating, "The products subject to the investigation differ from those actually exported." It stressed, "China’s duck meat industry will do its utmost to respond proactively and firmly protect both the international image and legitimate rights of Chinese duck products."

The European Union (EU) has launched an anti-dumping investigation into duck meat imported from China, prompting strong opposition from Chinese local media and the industry, which denounce it as "one-sided suspicion." Photo to aid in understanding the article. Pixels.

The outlet also criticized as highly distorted the criteria for price and cost used to assess possible dumping. "It is questionable how China’s duck production can be compared to a third country (Brazil) designated by Europe—given differences in feed, energy, labor, and farming scale," it said. Furthermore, the article explained that Chinese duck meat is inexpensive primarily because the rearing period is only about 40 to 50 days and, in addition to duck meat and feathers, there is a robust market for byproducts such as heads and feet. The outlet pointed out, "It is unreasonable to label this as dumping simply because the product is cheap."

If the investigation confirms dumping, the EU can impose tariffs on fresh, frozen, and smoked duck meat. Until now, the EU has mainly targeted industrial products such as chemicals and electric vehicles. In response, China has previously imposed tariffs on pork, dairy products, and cognac.

John Clarke, a former EU agricultural negotiator, warned via the Financial Times, "Peking duck is a symbol of Chinese cuisine," emphasizing that "measures targeting it could be perceived by Chinese authorities as acts of retaliation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.