China blocks Canada’s request for review of Chinese duties on agriculture, fish

Reuters — China has blocked Canada’s request to set up a dispute panel to review additional import duties by China on certain Canadian farming products and fish, a Geneva-based trade official said on June 5.

China intervened at a special meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body at the World Trade Organization on Thursday, the official said, adding that Canada can renew its request at a future meeting, with the next meeting scheduled for June 23.

In retaliation against Canadian levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles, China introduced 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola oil, canola meal and peas as of March 20. A 25 per cent duty on Canadian aquatic products and pork has also been in place since then.

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In its request to the WTO, Canada said China unilaterally suspended concessions to Canada without first seeking recourse at the WTO or obtaining the authorization of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body, noting “China’s antidiscrimination investigation and subsequent imposition of countermeasures on products from Canada is a unilateral action that flies in the face of the well-established rules for resolving disputes under the multilateral trading system.”

Consultations with China took place on April 23 but failed to resolve the matter. Canada “remains open to continuing dialogue with China in a manner that will address Canada’s concerns and fully restore market access for Canadian agricultural, fish and seafood products in a timely fashion,” said a WTO summary of Thursday’s meeting.

China replied that it regretted Canada’s decision to seek the establishment of a panel, saying Canada imposed discriminatory and unilateral restrictions on Chinese imports despite opposition from all sides. China maintains the tariffs on certain Canadian products are legitimate measures taken in accordance with Chinese domestic law following a fair, impartial and transparent investigation process. In opposing Canada’s request, China said it believes it is still premature to establish a panel in this dispute.

– With files from the WTO

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