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China’s new tariffs on Canadian agricultural products, including rapeseed oil and pork, took effect on Thursday, sparking concerns among Canadian farmers and industry leaders over potential economic fallout.
The tariffs, announced earlier this month, impose a 100 percent levy on rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas imported from Canada. Meanwhile, aquatic products and pork face a 25 percent surcharge.
Chris Davison, President of the Canola Council of Canada, warned that the new tariffs would deal a severe blow to Canadian farmers.
“New tariffs from China on Canadian canola oil and meal will have a devastating impact on canola farmers and the broader value chain at a time of increased trade and geopolitical uncertainty,” Davison said, urging the federal government to engage with Beijing to resolve the issue.
The tariffs come in response to Canada’s own trade measures against China. Last year, Ottawa imposed 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, aligning with similar U.S. restrictions designed to curb the influx of state-subsidized Chinese cars into North America. Canada also levied surcharges on imports of Chinese steel and aluminum.
China’s commerce ministry justified its response, stating that Canada’s policies had “disrupted the normal trade order and harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.”
In Beijing, some residents expressed support for the tariffs. “China has become strong and doesn’t need to rely on others for everything,” said a resident named Zheng Ruitao. Another citizen, Song Qing, downplayed the effects, suggesting the impact would be felt more on a national level rather than individually.
Trade tensions between the two nations have been escalating for years. Relations hit a low point in 2018 after Canada detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant, prompting Beijing to retaliate by arresting two Canadian nationals.
With these latest tariffs, the economic strain between China and Canada is set to deepen further, leaving Canadian farmers caught in the crossfire of geopolitical disputes.
