Trade Policy Trends: Chinese Protectionism: Restriction on Canola Imports from Canada

Abstract

On March 3, 2019, China revoked the import licence for canola from Richardson International Ltd. (a large Canadian processor of grain based in Winnipeg). Chinese officials have cited pests as the reason for their action. The licence revocation occurs amid a conflict between Canada and China over the arrest in Canada of Huawei’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou. Some see this as a retaliatory measure on the part of China, which has a history of using trade policy in political disputes.