China has announced new retaliatory tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural and food imports, following Canada’s imposition of duties on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products in October. Starting March 20, additional tariffs will be applied, including a 100% duty on Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas, as well as a 25% duty on pork and aquatic products.
These new tariffs intensify the already heightened global trade tensions, with trade disputes continuing between the U.S., China, Canada, and Mexico. The tariffs are a direct response to Canada’s actions in October, which included a 100% surtax on all Chinese-made electric vehicles and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from China. Chinese authorities have expressed opposition to Canada’s unilateral restrictions, accusing the country of acting without proper investigation and damaging China-Canada trade relations.
The decision to impose retaliatory tariffs follows an “anti-discrimination investigation,” which concluded that Canada’s restrictive measures on certain Chinese products have disrupted normal trade and harmed the legitimate rights of Chinese businesses.
Canada introduced tariffs on Chinese goods in August, after similar duties were implemented by the U.S. and the European Union on Chinese-made electric vehicles and other products. Western governments argue that China’s subsidies provide its industries with an unfair advantage.