Chinese officials and experts criticized Canada for following the lead of certain countries in imposing these tariffs. They cautioned that such protectionist measures could severely impact bilateral trade relations and harm businesses in both nations.
Experts noted that while the direct impact of Canada's tariffs may be limited due to the relatively small trade volume in affected products, the move complicates the recently improving bilateral relationship and creates uncertainty for Chinese companies operating in Canada.
Canada's Department of Finance issued a press release on Monday outlining several measures aimed at protecting Canadian workers and key economic sectors from what it termed "unfair Chinese trade practices." These measures include a 100-percent additional tariff on Chinese-made EVs effective Oct. 1, and a 25-percent additional tariff on steel and aluminum imports from China, starting Oct. 15.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) expressed strong opposition to Canada's actions, accusing Canada of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and engaging in trade protectionism despite claiming to support free trade and the multilateral trading system.
Canada's announcement follows similar moves by the United States and the European Union, which have also imposed or announced additional tariffs on Chinese EVs and other products. These decisions have faced criticism from both China and domestic industries in the respective countries due to concerns over increased costs.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, urged Canada to respect facts, adhere to WTO rules, and reverse its decision. The spokesperson also warned that China would take necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
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