China has announced an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola imports today in response to Canada planning to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.

In a news release, China’s Ministry of Commerce says it is launching an anti-discrimination investigation into the tariffs and an anti-dumping probe into Canadian canola imports as well as certain chemical products.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week that Canada will impose a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs and a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland cited unfair trading practices but also “abysmal” environmental and labour standards that she said allow China to unfairly price and dump products into the market at a huge cost to the environment and workers.

China says it is extremely dissatisfied with the tariffs and promised to take the case to the World Trade Organization.

It says it will take all necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of Chinese companies.