THE Ministry of Commerce has started an anti-dumping investigation into rapeseed imports from Canada.

The probe comes after evidence of dumping practices that have caused substantial harm to Chinese industries, the ministry announced Monday.

The investigation began Monday and will last a year, with a possible six-month extension under certain circumstances. It will examine Canada’s dumping activities throughout 2023.

The probe was launched independently and legally, based on sufficient evidence, a ministry spokesperson noted, adding that it complies with World Trade Organization rules.

The investigation differs fundamentally from Canada’s discriminatory measures that violate WTO rules to levy high tariffs on electric vehicles and steel imported from China, the person pointed out.

Preliminary evidence suggests that Canadian rapeseed was exported to China at prices below the normal value, with import volumes surging and prices continuously falling. This has suppressed and undercut the price of similar domestic products, causing substantial damage to domestic industries.

Canadian rapeseed’s export price to China was US$686.22 per ton during the investigation period, according to customs data. The market share of Chinese rapeseed fell to 71% last year from 82.4% in 2021, with domestic producers selling at an average loss of about 75 Chinese cents (US$0.1) per kilogram.

On Aug. 26, Canada decided to slap a 100% tariff on EVs imported from China and a 25% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum imports from Oct. 15.(SD-Agencies)