Tariffs add to global trade tensions already high, with rounds of duties announcements by US, China, Canada and Mexico
Your support helps us to tell the story
Support Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
China on Saturday announced retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian farm and food imports, after Canada imposed duties in October on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products.
The new duties become effective 20 March, according to a statement by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. Additional 100 per cent tariffs will be imposed on Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes and peas, and additional 25 per cent tariffs will apply to pork and aquatic products.
The tariffs add to global trade tensions already high, with rounds of tariff announcements by the United States, China, Canada and Mexico.
The duties come in retaliation for Ottawa imposing tariffs against Chinese imports in October, including a 100 per cent surtax on all Chinese-made EVs and 25 per cent on steel and aluminium imports.
“Despite China’s repeated opposition and dissuasion, Canada has taken unilateral restrictive measures on electric vehicles, steel, aluminium and other products imported from China without investigation, undermining China-Canada economic and trade relations,” read the statement by the customs authorities.
The decision to impose retaliatory duties comes after an “anti-discrimination probe, which found out that Canada’s restrictive measures against some Chinese products have disrupted normal trade order and harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises,” it added.
Canada announced tariffs on Chinese goods last August following similar duties being imposed by the US and the European Union against Chinese-made EVs and other products. The Western governments say China’s subsidies give its industry an unfair advantage.