China files a complaint at the WTO against Canadian restrictions on its steel | Canada-China Relations

Economic and political relations between China and Canada have been tense in recent years, the business ties are distending, even though the two countries are the target of massive customs tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump (new window).

Last month, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced an additional 25 % tax on steel imports containing a melted and sunk alloy.

He had explained that this measure was necessary to protect the national industry (new window) After the United States has increased import duties on steel to 50 % (new window)arousing fears that steel companies do not massively redirect their exports to Canada.

The Chinese trade ministry said on Friday that a complaint had been filed at theOMC against these measures deemed discriminatorysaying that they contravened the rules of theOMC.

Such actions are typically unilateral and protectionist measures that infringe the legitimate rights and interests of China and disrupt the stability of global steel supply chains.

This complaint with theOMC intervenes a few days after Beijing announced the temporary establishment of customs duties on Canadian imports of Canola (new window) And on halogenated butyle rubber – a material used in particular in the manufacture of tires and pipes – as well as the opening of an anti -dumping survey on Canadian pea starch.

Canada started on Tuesday deeply disappointed By the decision to impose rights on canola, an oilseeds of which it is among the main world producers.

In March, Beijing had already imposed a 100 % surcharge on various Canadian agricultural products, saying that it was a response to the decision made by Ottawa last year to impose prices of 100 % on Chinese electric vehicles (new window).