China investigates Canadian rapeseed imports following EV tariffs

Anti-dumping probe launched over rapeseed imports, shortly after Canada announced higher tariffs on China’s electric vehicles

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China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian rapeseed imports, just days after the latter country announced it would tax Chinese electric vehicle imports by 100 per cent. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:37pm, 3 Sep 2024Updated: 5:39pm, 16 Sep 2024

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Tuesday that it will initiate an anti-dumping investigation into rapeseed imports from Canada, days after the United States’ northern neighbour agreed to levy 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in accordance with similar taxes imposed by the US and European Union.

The world’s second-largest economy will also consider auditing imports of Canadian chemicals, according to a statement published online.

“China firmly opposes Canada’s unilateral and discriminatory measures,” the ministry said. “The country will take all necessary measures to protect the rights of Chinese companies.”

Citing complaints from the domestic industry, the ministry said Canadian rapeseed imports have reached a total trade value of US$3.5 billion in 2023 – a 170 per cent surge from the year before – as well as a continuous downward trend in price.

Canada is the world’s top exporter of rapeseed – used in food preparation and as a biofuel – and China its largest purchaser, importing 63.5 per cent of its rapeseed in 2023 per figures from the General Administration of Customs. This represented an increase of 29.9 percentage points over the figure from 2022.

Claiming a “suspicion of dumping,” the ministry said Canada’s “unfair practices” have led to “continuous losses” for domestic firms in or related to the industry.

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