Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: We witnessed new, stricter stances from European countries since signing new agreement with IAEA
Saree: Our UAV force targeted the so-called Ramon Airport in the Umm al-Rashrash area in southern occupied Palestine
YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: Our rocket force carried out an operation with a Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile targeting a sensitive target in the occupied Yafa area
Trump administration clears first Ukraine arms aid package paid for by allies: Reuters, citing sources
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman receives Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani at his office in Al-Yamamah Palace
Wakim: Surrender is not in our dictionary, and it is not true that "Israel" can implement its project in Lebanon and the region

China retaliates against Canada with new agricultural tariffs

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Mar 2025 08:39
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The new levies, which take effect on March 20, match Canada’s 100% and 25% import duties imposed last year on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products.

Listen
  • x
  • Pedestrian exit an underground tunnel in downtown Beijing, China, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP)
    Pedestrians exit an underground tunnel in downtown Beijing, China, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP)

China has announced tariffs on more than $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products, retaliating against trade restrictions Ottawa imposed in October. The move intensifies tensions in an ongoing trade dispute, largely fueled by US President Donald Trump's tariff policies.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry stated on Saturday that the tariffs, set to take effect on March 20, will mirror Canada's 100% and 25% import duties on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. However, Beijing notably excluded canola—a key Canadian export—possibly signaling openness to future negotiations.

According to analysts, the tariffs serve as both economic retaliation and a strategic warning, particularly as the Trump administration considers easing its own 25% import levies on Canada and Mexico. Washington has warned that relief could be contingent on whether they implement a similar 20% duty Trump has imposed on Chinese imports, using fentanyl-related concerns as an excuse.

"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 Chinese Commerce Ministry said.

A calculated response to Canadian tariffs

Related News

Israeli occupation army bans Chinese EVs citing 'espionage' concerns

China's CATL unveils sodium-ion battery in bid to reshape EV landscape

The new tariffs include a 100% duty on over $1 billion worth of Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and pea imports, along with a 25% levy on $1.6 billion worth of pork and aquatic products.

Dan Wang, China director at Eurasia Group, described the move as a calculated warning to Canada. "By striking now, China reminds Canada of the cost of aligning too closely with American trade policy," she said, adding that "China's delayed response (to Ottawa's October tariffs) likely reflects both capacity constraints and strategic signalling." With Beijing also managing trade disputes with the US and EU, she noted, "Canada, a lower priority, had to wait its turn."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau justified Ottawa's initial levies in August, arguing they were necessary to counter China’s state-driven industrial overcapacity. Canada’s decision aligned with similar import duties imposed by the US and the EU on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

In response, China launched an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola imports in September. The trade in canola, which accounted for over half of Canada’s total canola exports, was valued at $3.7 billion in 2023, according to the Canola Council of Canada.

JCI analyst Rosa Wang noted that Beijing's decision to exclude canola from the tariff list "might also be a gesture to leave room for negotiations."

Beijing may also be factoring in political dynamics, with Canada’s next national election due by October 20. "I expect Beijing will use the election and change of leader as an opportunity to reset relations as they did with Australia," said Even Pay, an agriculture analyst at Trivium China.

China previously imposed sweeping trade restrictions on Australian exports in 2020 after Canberra called for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19. The restrictions were only lifted in 2023, following a change in Australia’s leadership. Observers suggest Beijing could adopt a similar approach with Canada, waiting to reassess relations based on the outcome of its upcoming election.

Read next: How the trade war could expand beyond tariffs: WaPo

  • Chinese electric vehicles
  • Canada
  • aluminum products
  • agricultural tariffs
  • China

Most Read

Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Britain Trained Israeli Soldiers Involved in Gaza War: Declassified
Europe

UK training of Israeli officers sparks outcry over Gaza war complicity

Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Politics

Luxembourg to recognize Palestine at UN summit next week

European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

EU exec. branch to adopt new sanctions against 'Israel' on Wednesday

Charlie Kirk killing suspect faces charges in Utah court hearing
US & Canada

Charlie Kirk murder suspect faces formal charges in Utah court hearing

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS