China on Tuesday extended an anti-dumping investigation into pork products imported from the European Union (EU) by six months.

The Commerce Ministry said the probe will be extended until December 16 "given the complexity of the case, and in accordance with relevant regulations", according to Xinhua News Agency.

The trade spat erupted last summer when the EU moved towards imposing hefty tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, arguing that Beijing's subsidies were unfairly undercutting European competitors.

Beijing denied that claim and announced probes into imported European pork, brandy and dairy products.

China imported US$4.8 billion worth of pork, including offal, in 2024 – over half of it from the EU, with Spain leading the bloc in exports by volume. (Xinhua and agencies)