Anice fears retaliation from China for imposing tariffs on its electric vehicles

Anice Meat Business Association fears the start of a new trade war between blocs, in this case between the EU and China, which “could turn against the entire Spanish meat sector.” This already happened in 2019 with the USA, a country in which agri-food products – in the case of Spain, olive oil, table olives, wines and cheeses – and aviation products are registered. companies from Germany, France, Great Britain and our country and withdrew this tax in March 2021, after the arrival of Joe Biden in the White House.

As then, the trigger is alleged government bailouts and unfair competition in a strategic sector, this time electric vehicles imported from China. The new controversy comes just two weeks after Agriculture Minister Luis Planas visited the Asian giant, where he attended the SIAL international food fair in Shanghai and met with China’s Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, as well as importers and distributors of Spanish products. agri-food products.

“The Spanish meat industry has asked the government to activate all planned containment measures. in these cases, given the enormous damage that new tariffs will mean for exporting companies in our country. He also asked that communication channels be maintained to keep the meat industry informed in real time. in the face of a sudden avalanche of problems that may arise in the coming weeks“.

“There are already signs that China is seriously considering retaliatory measures against EU agri-food products.

. Pork and edible by-products are categories that will be hit hard by these trade tensions. “Enis fears that possible retaliation could spread to the rest of the meat sector and threaten its current leadership in the international trade of meat and meat derivatives.”

The meat sector receives €1,223 million and the food industry as a whole receives €1,882 million.

“Last year, the Spanish meat sector achieved record exports of 10.583 million euros and a trade balance of 625%, 6.2% higher than foreign earnings in 2022. Pork was a key factor and placed Spain at the top of the European rankings and second in the world. Spanish pork exports to China exceed 560,000 tons and had a value of €1,223 million, making the Asian country the destination of 20.33% of our overseas pork sales,” notes Anis.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture consulted by Alimarket, “China is the ninth destination for all Spanish agri-food exports. Industry supplies to this country were valued at 1881.54 million euros and showed a positive trade balance in favor of Spain of 500.42 million euros in 2023.” received there in 2022 (2,667 million euros for the recovery of the Chinese herd from swine fever).