Beijing files WTO suit against Canada, opposes EU sanctions on Iran

AgenciesLast Updated: Aug 16, 2025, 01:05:00 AM IST

Synopsis

China has escalated its trade dispute with Canada by filing a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization challenging import restrictions on steel, alleging they are protectionist measures violating WTO rules. This action follows China's recent imposition of new duties on Canadian canola. Simultaneously, China expressed opposition to reimposing sanctions on Iran regarding its nuclear program.

China deepened a trade spat with Canada, filing a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization over import restrictions on steel just days after slapping fresh duties on Canadian canola. The WTO case targets tariffs and quotas on steel. Those measures were "typical trade protectionism" that disregarded China's legitimate rights and interests and flouted WTO rules, China's ministry of commerce said in a statement on Friday.

Helping Iran

China said on Friday that it opposed invoking sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme after three Western nations told the UN they would reimpose them if no diplomatic solution was found by the end of August.