His government Canada announced yesterday Tuesday that it plans to proceed with the imposition of new ones duties on critical rare earths, batteries, solar related products and semiconductors imported into the country by Chinawhich may trigger further retaliatory measures from Beijing.

In late August, the Canadian government announced additional tariffs of 100% on imported Chinese electric cars from October, alleging “unfair competition”, drawing China’s “strong resentment”.

Ottawa has launched a new 30-day public consultation, this time to get industry input on whether to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports of batteries, semiconductors, critical minerals and metals and photovoltaics, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia said. Freeland during a press conference.

“Workers, the auto industry and supply chains for the production of essential products are currently facing unfair competition from Chinese companies, which are benefiting from Beijing’s deliberate policy of oversupply,” the Canadian economy minister said.

The new escalation of tensions between Canada and China comes amid escalating trade disputes with Western nations accusing Beijing of seeking to destroy competition in sectors such as wind power, solar panels and solar panels. batteries.

Beijing appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) after imposing additional tariffs on electric cars exported by China, saying Ottawa had taken a “unilaterally” “protectionist” measure.

The Canadian government simultaneously announced additional tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from China.

In response, China announced that it had begun an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola, apparently in retaliation.

The Canadian government has been making major efforts in recent years to attract electric car manufacturers, notably by offering tax incentives, touting the clean energy it produces and the country’s rare earth resources.