China has announced additional tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products following an anti-discrimination probe.
Starting 20 March, imported canola oil, oil cakes and peas from Canada will face a 100% tariff, while aquatic products and pork will incur a 25% tariff, according to China’s government-backed news agency Xinhua.
Go deeper with GlobalData
This move follows China’s investigation into Canada’s trade practices.
The probe revealed that Canada’s restrictive measures on certain Chinese products disrupt normal trade and harm Chinese enterprises’ legitimate rights.
In a joint statement, Canadian ministers Mary Ng, Lawrence MacAulay and Diane Lebouthillier said the tariffs are “unjustified” and “Canada does not accept the premise of China’s investigation, nor its findings”.
In August, Canada imposed similar tariffs on electric vehicles, steel, and aluminium products from China, prompting the latter to launch the investigation in September.
China expressed dissatisfaction with Canada’s actions, saying they disregard facts and World Trade Organization rules, harm bilateral economic ties, and represent protectionism.
Canada’s canola output covers more than 21 million acres and generated C$13.6bn ($9.45bn) in farm cash receipts in 2023.
In 2024, Canadian exports of canola meal to China reached C$920.9m, while canola oil exports were approximately C$21m. Pea exports to China amounted to C$303.6m.
Canada’s exports of fish and seafood products to China last year amounted to C$1.3bn and pork products worth C$468.6m were exported.
The Canadian ministers said “Canada has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring a level playing field for Canadian businesses and support for fair, rules-based trade. This includes addressing China’s non-market policies and practices that artificially lower production costs and distort markets.
“Canada remains open to engaging in constructive dialogue with Chinese officials to address our respective trade concerns.”.
Last week, China also announced additional tariffs on US imports after tariffs imposed by the US President Donald Trump came into effect.
China’s Ministry of Finance said that tariffs of 15% and 10% would be applied to selected US goods.
China’s tariffs on the US goods are set to come into effect from today.
