BEIJING: China announced tariffs of up to 100% on canola, pork and other foods from Canada on Saturday, in retaliation for Canada’s decision in August to collect steep taxes on imports of Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.
The Chinese tariffs, which take effect March 20, were also a clear warning to Canada — and, indirectly, Mexico — not to cooperate with the United States on trade. The Trump administration, like the Biden administration before it, has been demanding that Canada and Mexico not serve as back doors for low-cost Chinese goods to enter the U.S. market under North American free trade agreements.
China’s State Council Tariff Commission announced Saturday that it would impose tariffs of 100% on canola oil and canola meal, which are among Canada’s largest exports to China, and on peas, and 25% on Canadian pork and seafood. The commission said the measures were in response to Canada’s 100% tariffs on electric cars from China and its 25% tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, which took effect in October.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a separate statement that “China urges Canada to immediately correct its wrong practices, lift restrictive measures and eliminate adverse effects.”
The Canadian government had no immediate comment.
The Chinese agencies’ statements were carefully worded to comply with World Trade Organization rules and did not mention any effort to influence Canada or Mexico during their current trade discussions with the United States. But a commentary released by Chinese state television left little doubt that a key goal for China is dissuading officials in Ottawa and Mexico City from acceding to American pressure for higher Canadian and Mexican tariffs on Chinese goods.
The Chinese tariffs are “a powerful countermeasure to Canada’s wrong choice and a strong warning to some countries that intend to impose additional tariffs on China in exchange for the United States not to impose additional tariffs on them,” China Central Television said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada announced tariffs on imports from China last year, partly to protect heavy government-supported investments by automakers in electric car factories in Canada. But there were also growing concerns and complaints from the Biden administration — recently echoed by the Trump administration — that Chinese goods were flooding into Canada.
