Planas highlights that Spain comes out better than its partners from China’s tariffs on European pork

The tariffs that this Tuesday imposed China to the European pig in retaliation to those introduced by the European Commission for electric vehicles, and which leaves the majority of Spanish companies in a range of between 4.98 and 9.8%, have been received with caution by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Luis Planas: “We have managed to minimize the result of the dumping investigation by the Chinese authorities,” highlighted the minister who noted that “The average tariff figure for Spanish companies is 8% and the general average is 19%.” A number that he has described as “commercially more pleasant” and what he has attributed to “the good technical cooperation that has been maintained and total transparency: all the information that has been requested of us has been given”.

“Spain inspires confidence and that confidence has led the Chinese authorities to make this decision in a context in which international trade is at a time of disruption,” said Plansa, who speaks of “stability” in reference to tariffs that would be valid for the next 5 years. The minister recalled that China is “a priority market for the pork sector.”

Without contradictions with the European Commission

Asked about the position of the European Commission (EC), that imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, and a possible contradiction with the Madrid government. Planas has limited himself to highlighting that “the points of view of the Commission are complementary as a global defense of the interests of the European Union, from this point of view, I understand the position of the EC.” Planas recalled that there have already been two more antidumping investigations into dairy products and brandy.. “We have secured a market like the Chinese one, which is a priority within the pork sector,” he stressed.

Regarding other issues such as the possible ratification this week, by the European Council, of the trade agreement with Mercosur Planas hopes that its ratification will occur as soon as possible. Regarding the new dozen positive cases of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boars, the minister highlighted that “does not modify our vision in any way” and committed to continuing with the perimeter and control of the affected area2. Something that he believes will take time.