China targets Canada’s tariffs in anti-discrimination probe Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters) – China has launched an anti-discrimination investigation into restrictive measures taken by Canada, including additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum products, the Commerce Ministry said on Thursday.

This type of investigation usually lasts three months, but could be extended in special circumstances, the ministry said.

Beijing also announced plans this month to investigate Canadian canola imports after Ottawa joined the US and European Union in imposing 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and 25 percent on Chinese aluminum and steel.

More than half of Canada’s exported canola goes to China, the world’s largest oilseed importer.

China said it strongly deplores and strongly opposes Canada’s “discriminatory unilateral restrictive measures” and has requested talks with Canada at the World Trade Organization on the tariffs.

Trade frictions between the countries intensified this week after Canada said it was “absolutely” considering banning Chinese-made software in electric vehicles, among measures to counter what it calls overcapacity and a security threat.