China imposes retaliatory tariffs on import of Canadian farm, food products

China on Saturday announced retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian farm and food imports, after Canada imposed duties in October on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products.

The new duties become effective March 20, according to a statement by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. Additional 100 per cent tariffs will be imposed on Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes and peas, and additional 25 per cent tariffs will apply to pork and aquatic products.

The tariffs add to global trade tensions already high, with rounds of tariff announcements by the United States, China, Canada and Mexico.

The duties come in retaliation for Ottawa imposing tariffs against Chinese imports in October, including a 100 per cent surtax on all Chinese-made EVs and 25 per cent on steel and aluminum imports.

Despite China's repeated opposition and dissuasion, Canada has taken unilateral restrictive measures on electric vehicles, steel, aluminum and other products imported from China without investigation, undermining China-Canada economic and trade relations, read the statement by the customs authorities.

The decision to impose retaliatory duties comes after an anti-discrimination probe, which found out that Canada's restrictive measures against some Chinese products have disrupted normal trade order and harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, it added.

Canada announced tariffs on Chinese goods last August following similar duties being imposed by the US and the European Union against Chinese-made EVs and other products. The Western governments say China's subsidies give its industry an unfair advantage.