Features

China hits out at Canadian tariff actions

Written by Ethan Bernard

July 20, 2025

The Chinese government has threatened countermeasures on Canada following the Canadian government’s recent announcement on restricting steel imports, according to media reports.

Recall the measures include a 25% tariff before the end of July on steel imports from all non-US countries that have steel melted and poured in China. (For full details on Canada’s actions, click here.)

A report in China Daily on Friday had the Chinese government putting the blame for the current steel industry situation firmly in America’s court.

“In fact, the primary cause of the difficulties facing Canada’s steel industry lies in the unilateral tariff measures imposed by the US,” a spokesperson for the ministry was quoted as saying.

This refers to the tariffs enacted by the Trump administration, which have been gathering steam since “Liberation Day” in April.

The Chinese government called on Canada to immediately end the policies. If not, “necessary measures” would be taken to protect its companies, the ministry spokesperson said in the article.

A request for comment from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce was not returned by time of publication.

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

Read more from Ethan Bernard

Latest in Features