According to a statement from the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, the new tariffs will take effect on March 20. The measures include a 100% tariff on Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas, as well as a 25% tariff on pork and aquatic products. These new duties add to growing global trade tensions, with Canada, China, the United States, and Mexico engaged in rounds of tariff impositions.
China’s decision follows Ottawa’s October tariffs, which included a 100% surtax on Chinese-made EVs and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.
"Despite China’s repeated opposition and warnings, Canada has unilaterally imposed restrictive measures on electric vehicles, steel, aluminum, and other Chinese imports without investigation, damaging China-Canada economic and trade relations," the customs statement said. It further noted that an "anti-discrimination probe" found Canada’s trade policies had disrupted normal trade and harmed Chinese enterprises.
Canada first announced tariffs on Chinese goods last August, aligning with similar actions by the U.S. and the European Union. Western governments argue that China’s subsidies give its industries an unfair competitive edge.