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China has announced a new set of retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods following Ottawa's decision to impose trade restrictions on Chinese imports last year.

The tariffs, which will take effect on March 20, target key Canadian exports, including rapeseed oil, oil cakes, peas, pork, and aquatic products.

The Chinese Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council declared on Saturday that Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas would be subject to a 100% tariff, while a 25% levy would apply to pork and aquatic products.

According to CNBC, the move is widely seen as a direct response to Canada's decision in October to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and a 25% duty on Chinese steel and aluminum.

This development comes amid escalating global trade tensions, with several countries, including the US, Canada, and the European Union, imposing tariffs on Chinese goods over concerns about unfair competition.

Ottawa's restrictions mirrored similar actions by Western allies, which have accused China of providing undue advantages to its domestic industries.

"Despite China's repeated opposition and dissuasion, Canada has taken unilateral restrictive measures on electric vehicles, steel, aluminum, and other products imported from China without investigation, undermining China-Canada economic and trade relations," the Chinese Customs Tariff Commission stated.

China Targets Canadian Agricultural Exports in Response to Tariff Disputes

Chinese state media described the new tariffs as a direct warning to Canada and other nations considering further trade restrictions under US influence.

According to source, a Chinese state television report characterized the measure as "a powerful countermeasure to Canada's wrong choice." The report also suggested that China intends to deter other countries from imposing additional restrictions on its exports.

This is not the first time China has targeted Canadian agricultural exports. In 2019, Beijing placed strict trade sanctions on Canadian rapeseed oil after the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver, Newsweek said.

That dispute was only resolved when Meng was released as part of a deal that also led to the release of two Canadian citizens detained in China.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has urged Canada to lift its tariffs on Chinese goods, stating: "China urges Canada to immediately correct its wrong practices, lift restrictive measures and eliminate adverse effects."

As tensions rise, it remains uncertain whether further trade escalations will follow. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has hinted at reinstating full tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods in April after a temporary suspension.

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China, Canada