China announced rates on Canadian agricultural and food products on Friday night (7), retaliating the rates that Ottawa introduced in October on electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products made in China.
Tariffs announced by the Ministry of Commerce, which will take effect on March 20, add a new business war largely driven by the announcement of US President Donald Trump of Canada, Mexico and China and threats of protectionist measures on other nations.
China will apply a 100% rate to Canadian Imports of Colza Oil, Oil Pies and Pea, and a 25% tax on Water Products and Canadian pork, the ministry said in a statement.
The 100% rate of Canada on Chinese electric vehicles and the 25% tax on its aluminum and steel products “seriously violate the rules of the World Trade Organization, constitute a typical act of protectionism and are discriminatory measures that severely impair China’s legitimate rights and interests,” the ministry said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in August that Ottawa was imposing the rates to combat what he called the intentional policy of over-capacity, which also applied import rates to electric vehicles in China.
China is Canada’s second largest commercial partner, far behind the United States.
