China retaliates over Canada’s EV tariffs with anti-dumping probe into canola imports
China has targeted Canadian canola before. In 2019, following Canada’s detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, it barred canola seed imports from two Canadian companies
OTTAWA — China has announced an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola imports in response to Canada planning to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.
In a news release Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said it is launching an anti-discrimination investigation into the tariffs and an anti-dumping probe into Canadian canola imports as well as certain chemical products.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Aug. 26 that Canada will impose a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs and a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum.
The tariff on Chinese EVs will take effect Oct. 1, while steel and aluminum tariffs will come into place Oct. 15.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland cited unfair trading practices but also “abysmal” environmental and labour standards that she said allow China to unfairly price and dump products into the market at a huge cost to the environment and workers. The tariffs were announced following a month-long consultation process, which is required under Canadian law.
