Canada Denounces China’s Allegations of Unfair Trade Practices, Labels New Agriculture Tariffs as ‘Unjustified’

March 9, 2025 TruthUSA

According to Ottawa, the latest tariffs imposed by China on Canadian imports are unwarranted. There is no factual basis for Beijing’s allegations of unfair trade practices by Canada.

“Canada does not accept the premise of China’s investigation, nor its findings,” declared International Trade Minister Mary Ng in a joint statement with Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier on March 8.

“As a trading partner, Canada has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring a level playing field for Canadian businesses, and support for fair, rules-based trade. This includes addressing China’s non-market policies and practices that artificially lower production costs and distort markets.”

The declaration by the ministers came shortly after the Chinese government announced tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products valued at over $2.6 billion. The new tariffs consist of a 100 percent tariff on certain Canadian agricultural goods and a 25 percent duty on others, set to be implemented on March 20.

These tariffs are in retaliation to Canada’s previously announced import duties on Chinese products. The Canadian government put a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles starting October 1, 2024, and a 25 percent tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum products starting October 15, 2024.

While China accuses Ottawa of implementing discriminatory measures, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, believes that China has gained an unfair advantage in various sectors, compromising Canadian industries and displacing Canadian workers.

Following a “anti-dumping” probe into Canadian canola imports, China imposed additional tariffs on Canadian products, which the Canadian government views as unjustified.

Matching US Tariffs on China

A political risk consultancy suggests that China’s recent actions against Canada could be a preemptive message warning Canada about the risks of aligning too closely with American trade policies.

“The timing may serve as a warning shot,” remarked Dan Wang, China director at Eurasia Group, in a recent interview with Reuters. “By striking now, China reminds Canada of the cost of aligning too closely with American trade policy.”

In 2024, Canada exported goods worth $47 billion to China, its second-largest trading partner after the United States.

Just a week before, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly expressed the country’s willingness to consider matching US tariffs on China, indicating openness to trade-related discussions.

Further developments and statements by officials from both Canada and the US highlight the complex and evolving trade dynamics between the countries, with retaliatory measures and talks about trade agreements unfolding in a rapidly changing global economic landscape.

Chandra Philip, Lily Zhou, Matthew Horwood, Noe Chartier, and Reuters contributed to this report.

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