Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the federal government is taking steps to impose more tariffs on Chinese goods related to clean energy. Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Minister Mary Ng, left, and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne flank Freeland as she speaks to the media at the federal Liberal cabinet retreat in Halifax, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kelly Clark
NANAIMO, B.C. – Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the required consultation period to impose tariffs on more clean energy goods coming from China will begin today.
The move follows a decision in August to hike tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles from six to 106 per cent effective Oct. 1.
Tariffs of 25 per cent will be applied to some steel and aluminum products made in China on Oct. 15.
Freeland says now a 30-day Customs Tariff Act review will begin to study the need for tariffs on batteries, battery parts, semiconductors, critical minerals and metals and solar products.
If tariffs are imposed, it would bring Canada in line with the United States, which announced plans to increase tariffs on similar items in the spring.
Last week China launched a complaint at the World Trade Organization over Canada’s EV tariffs, and is launching its own anti-dumping investigation in Canadian canola imports.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2024.
