China to impose tariffs on Canadian canola, agricultural products

China's State Council Tariff Commission is set to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian canola oil and canola meal, among other agricultural commodities, effective March 20. This retaliation stems from China's anti-discrimination investigation triggered by Canada's tariffs on Chinese goods. The Canola Council of Canada warns that these tariffs could severely affect canola farmers and the broader value chain. This announcement comes at a critical time, as planting season approaches, and the tariffs are distinct from China's ongoing anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola seeds. The canola industry, which supports around 40,000 farmers in Canada, generated over $43.7 billion last year.

On Thursday, China’s State Council Tariff Commission is set to impose a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil and canola meal, along with several other Canadian agricultural commodities following an announcement from China’s Ministry of Commerce earlier this month. According to the ministry the tariffs are an outcome of results from its anti-discrimination investigation initiated against Canada last September in response to tariffs announced by Ottawa on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. China is the second largest market for Canadian canola exports, behind the U.S. The Canola Council of Canada says last year total exports of Canadian canola and canola products were valued at almost $5 billion. This included two million tonnes of canola meal worth $921 million. “New tariffs from China on Canadian canola oil and meal will have a devastating impact on canola farmers,” said Chris Davison, president and CEO of the Canola Council of Canada. “And the broader value ...