Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
China’s Ministry of Commerce has opened an anti-discrimination investigation into Canada’s newly announced tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum, the ministry said on Thursday.
Justin Trudeau’s government aims to hit, from next week onwards, Chinese EV brands with a 100 percent import tariff, eyeing to limit the expansion plans from major China players such as BYD which is present in several South American markets.
Besides electric vehicles, the country will also apply a 25 percent surtax on steel and aluminum imports starting two weeks later on October 15. The duties from Canada are in line with similar moves by the U.S. and the European Commission.
In a media briefing, China’s Commerce Ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian stated that initial findings of the investigation suggest that the country’s planned tariffs and other restrictions could violate Chinese trade laws by being discriminatory.
The investigation, which began Thursday, will last for three months, with the possibility of an extension under special circumstances, according to an online statement from the ministry.
Over the last few days, Brussels entered negotiations with Beijing, aiming to reach a compromise through dialogue rather than imposing heavy duties.
Last May, the U.S. said it would increase the tariffs from 25 percent to 100 percent while the European Commission also raised up to 36 percent aiming to tackle the “unfair benefits” from Chinese manufacturers.
Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
