Canada files WTO trade action against Chinese agriculture, fishery duties
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China has imposed tariffs on rapeseed oil, oil cakes and peas imported from Canada with a 100 per cent surcharge.
PHOTO: AFP
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GENEVA – Canada has launched a dispute against China at the World Trade Organisation over additional duties on agricultural and fishery products, the international body said on March 24.
“Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with China concerning Chinese measures that impose additional import duties on certain agricultural and fishery products from Canada,” the agency said.
The tariffs, announced earlier in March, hit rapeseed oil, oil cakes
Canada is among the world’s top producers of canola, a rapeseed crop that is used to make cooking oil, animal feed and biodiesel fuel, and China has historically been one of its largest customers.
Aquatic products and pork, meanwhile, will face a 25 per cent levy.
Canadian industry leaders have said they would be hit hard by the new tariffs, which follow a Beijing probe into levies imposed by Ottawa on Chinese goods in 2024.
The tariffs come as both Canada and China face increasing trade tensions with Washington after new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Ottawa in August 2024 placed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, matching US measures seeking to fend off a flood of Chinese state-subsidised cars entering North America.
It also announced a surcharge on imports of steel and aluminium products from China.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry said a probe into these measures found that Canadian policies “disrupted the normal trade order and harmed the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises”.
After complaints are brought before the WTO, consultations are initiated between the members at odds with each other. If no agreement is reached, the complainant can request the establishment of a special panel, made up of three to five experts. AFP
