Trade War Heats Up: China Imposes Heavy Tariffs on Canadian Pork and Canola.
China has announced fresh tariffs on Canadian imports, including rapeseed oil and pork, in response to trade restrictions imposed by Ottawa last year. The move, revealed on Saturday, March 8, marks another escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations.
Beijing’s commerce ministry confirmed that Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas will face a steep 100% tariff, while pork and aquatic products will be hit with a 25% levy. These measures are scheduled to take effect on March 20.
This decision follows Canada’s move in August 2024 to slap 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, mirroring similar steps taken by the United States to limit the flow of state-backed Chinese cars into North America. Ottawa also imposed additional tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum products.
According to China’s commerce ministry, its investigation concluded that Canada’s trade policies disrupted the normal flow of business and harmed the interests of Chinese companies.
“China urges Canada to immediately correct its wrong practices, lift these restrictive measures, and reverse their negative impact,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
Canada is one of the world’s top producers of canola, which is processed into cooking oil, animal feed, and biodiesel. For years, China had been one of Canada’s largest buyers, but trade relations have soured significantly in recent years.
The roots of this tension trace back to 2018, when Canadian authorities detained Meng Wanzhou, a senior Huawei executive, at the request of U.S. officials. In apparent retaliation, China arrested two Canadian citizens, further straining diplomatic ties.
The latest tariffs also reflect broader global trade friction, with both Canada and China facing mounting pressure from Washington. President Donald Trump has introduced new trade barriers targeting multiple countries, adding to the already tense economic climate.
With these new tariffs, the fallout from the Canada-China trade dispute looks far from over — and the stakes for global trade are only getting higher.
