China files complaint against Canada with the World Trade Organization

China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding Canada, which has imposed additional customs tariffs on imported electric vehicles as well as steel and aluminum products.

In a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, it was noted that Canada's "unilateral and protectionist" behavior is contrary to international economic and trade rules, and that a complaint has been filed with the WTO on this matter.

The statement, which noted that Canada chose to follow the unilateral steps of a specific country (the USA) by turning a deaf ear to the objections and persuasion efforts of numerous parties, emphasized that China will take the necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its companies.

The government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canada had announced that it would apply a 100 percent customs tariff on electric vehicles imported from China starting October 1, and a 25 percent tariff on aluminum and steel products starting October 15. With this, Canada set the same customs tariff rates for these products as the USA.

On September 27, China had announced that it had launched a "discrimination" investigation against Canada's additional customs tariffs.