Published: 14:01, August 27, 2024 | Updated: 17:03, August 27, 2024
China firmly opposes Canada's EV tariffs
By Zhong Nan
This photo taken on Feb 15, 2023 shows a workshop of Chinese electric vehicle maker Li Auto Inc in Changzhou, East China's Jiangsu province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China will take all necessary measures to defend the legitimate rights and interests of its companies, said the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.

The Canadian government announced on Monday that it plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles  and a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and aluminum from China.

China has repeatedly emphasized that the development of industries such as electric vehicles is based on its comparative advantages and is the result of open competition, said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce in an online statement.

READ MORE: China's commerce ministry slams unfair EU tariffs on EVs

The Canadian side claims to support free trade and a multilateral trading system based on the World Trade Organization rules, yet it blatantly violates these rules by blindly following certain countries in announcing unilateral tariff measures. This is a typical example of trade protectionism, said the commerce official.

Such actions will disrupt the stability of global industrial and supply chains, severely undermine the global economic system and trade rules, harm the interests of businesses in both countries and reduce consumer welfare in Canada. The protectionist moves will hinder Canada's green transition and global efforts to address climate change, according to the statement.

The Chinese Embassy in Canada also expressed on Monday its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition against the Canadian government's action to impose tariffs.

READ MORE: China files appeal at WTO over EU electric vehicle tariffs

A spokesperson of the embassy criticized the Canadian government's decision as typical trade protectionism and politically motivated and undermines Canada's traditional image as a global champion for free trade and climate change mitigation.

It will damage trade and economic cooperation between China and Canada, hurt the interests of Canadian consumers and enterprises, slow down the green transition process of Canada and certainly won't help global efforts to address climate change, which benefits no one and will only backfire, the spokesperson said.

 

With Xinhua inputs