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BEIJING, March 8 (Reuters) - China announced tariffs on over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products on Saturday, retaliating against levies Ottawa introduced in October and opening a new front in a trade war largely driven by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats.

The levies, announced by the commerce ministry and scheduled to take effect on March 20, match the 100% and 25% import duties Canada slapped on China-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products just over four months ago.

By excluding canola, which is also known as rapeseed, and was one of Canada's top exports to the world's No.1 agricultural importer prior to China investigating it for anti-dumping last year, Beijing may be keeping the door open for trade talks.

But the tariffs also serve as a warning shot, analysts say, with the Trump administration having signalled it could ease 25% import levies the White House is threatening Canada and Mexico with if they apply the same extra 20% duty he has slapped on Chinese goods over fentanyl flows.

"Canada's measures seriously violate World Trade Organization rules, constitute a typical act of protectionism and are discriminatory measures that severely harm China's legitimate rights and interests," the commerce ministry said in a statement.

China will apply a 100% tariff to just over $1 billion of Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes and pea imports, and a 25% duty on $1.6 billion worth of Canadian aquatic products and pork.

"The timing may serve as a warning shot," said Dan Wang, China director at Eurasia Group in Singapore. "By striking now, China reminds Canada of the cost of aligning too closely with American trade policy."

"China's delayed response (to Ottawa's October tariffs) likely reflects both capacity constraints and strategic signalling," she added. "The commerce ministry is stretched thin, juggling trade disputes with the U.S. and European Union."

"Canada, a lower priority, had to wait its turn."

The Canadian embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in August that Ottawa was imposing the levies to counter what he called China's intentional state-directed policy of over-capacity, following the lead of the United States and European Union, both of which have also applied import levies to Chinese-made EVs.

In response, China in September launched an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola imports. More than half of Canada's canola exports go to China and the trade was worth $3.7 billion in 2023, according to the Canola Council of Canada.

"The investigation on Canadian canola is still ongoing. That canola was not included in the list of tariffs this time might also be a gesture to leave room for negotiations," said Rosa Wang, an analyst with agricultural consultancy JCI.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/china-announces-retaliatory-tariffs-some-canada-farm-food-products-2025-03-08/

End them Xi

 

This world is so over 

Canada should withdraw that tariffs now that USA no longer has their back, deal with China more instead.

1 hour ago, Miracle Whip said:

End them Xi

 

Why?

5 minutes ago, Youngbae said:

Why?

Probably a communist 

1 hour ago, GipJo said:

Canada should withdraw that tariffs now that USA no longer has their back, deal with China more instead.

Agree, but Canada's PM is not smart, he is literally a rancid capitalist xionist.

 

Trade wars are stupid but to be honest, trans-continental food and auto-mobile shipping and dealings are awful for the environment anyway, so they should end all together (for all continents!).

Edited March 9, 20251 yr by Mr.X
expanding on the original point

Is Xi working with Trumpet now?

1 hour ago, Princess Aurora said:

Is Xi working with Trumpet now?

URIC is working to deindustrialize the Western economies, which are heavily inflated because of hyper-consumption. Expect countries like the US and UK to see their per capita income shrink by 50% or so in the coming 10 years

Edited March 9, 20251 yr by Letters From Adi
expect, not except

1 hour ago, Princess Aurora said:

Is Xi working with Trumpet now?

not Trumpet... this is an insult to the instrument how insesitive of you 

1 hour ago, Princess Aurora said:

Is Xi working with Trumpet now?

Canada placed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs and 25 per cent levy on its aluminum and steel products back in 2024.

So this appears to be the Chinese response.

 

36 minutes ago, Letemtalk said:

Canada placed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs and 25 per cent levy on its aluminum and steel products back in 2024.

So this appears to be the Chinese response.

 

Ahhhh okay. I just think it's funny that it happened now 

2 hours ago, Mr.X said:

Agree, but Canada's PM is not smart, he is literally a rancid capitalist xionist.

He's great tbh 

 

When poilievre wins everyone will…..

Bit of a delayed response. I'm not a big fan of the Chinese government but in this instance - fair is fair. 

Our country is f*ck because of years of bad relation with the US and China, Trudeau really f*cked our country in so many ways 

Protectionist policies always fail (it doesn't matter who applies them). Free trade (I'm not talking about monopolies or stuff like that) is the best thing that ever happened.