China has filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Canada's unilateralism and trade protectionism, according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry (MOFCOM). It has also initiated an anti-discrimination probe into Canada's restrictive measures targeting certain imports from China after the Canadian government announced Chinese-made steel and aluminum will be subject to a 25% tariff, along with a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), effective immediately. Commenting on the announcement made by the Canadian side, a MOFCOM spokesperson said that Canada's measures violate the principles of market economy and fair competition, severely damaging normal economic and trade cooperation between Chinese and Canadian enterprises, significantly impacting bilateral economic and trade relations, and disrupting and distorting global industrial and supply chains. China firmly opposes these actions by the Canadian side, according to the spokesperson, who urged Canada to view bilateral economic and trade cooperation rationally and objectively, respect the facts, adhere to WTO rules, and not stray further down the wrong path. China will take all necessary steps to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, the spokesperson added. Canada's action is a blind follow-up to the U.S. approach without carefully assessing its own market conditions, he concluded.
Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times that despite considerable opposition, Canada insists on implementing its protectionist measures, which will directly impact its industrial development and green transition. “Furthermore, it will affect Canada's role in the multilateral economic and trade system and increase trade friction and economic costs. The related industrial chains will also face further restrictions, which will weaken Canada's access to currently leading global green development technologies,” Zhou further noted. According to Xinhua News Agency, it is the first such investigation initiated by China and also the first of its kind in the world, the Global Times reports.
