China on Monday initiated an anti-dumping probe into imported rapeseed from Canada, China's Ministry of Commerce has said.

The move was made in accordance with Chinese law and in compliance with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the ministry said.

It said that there is evidence showing Canada has engaged in the dumping of its rapeseed exports to China, causing substantial damage to China's domestic industry.

The anti-dumping probe is a legitimate trade measure that complies with WTO rules to protect domestic industries, and there is a fundamental difference between the probe and Canada's discriminatory measures that violate WTO rules, the ministry said.

It noted that according to Chinese law and WTO rules, there are two launch scenarios for such anti-dumping probes: when an application is made from within the industry, and when a relevant authority initiates a probe independently.

Due to the low centralization level of China's rapeseed industry and the involvement of numerous growers, it is difficult for the industry to file applications. For this reason, Chinese authorities often initiate investigations independently, in accordance with the law and based on the evidence required to file a case, it said.

Following legal procedures and WTO rules, this investigation has begun in an open, transparent manner, the ministry said, noting that it will fully protect the rights of all stakeholders and ensure fair, impartial rulings.

Citing reports from China's domestic rapeseed industry, the ministry said that Canada exported 3.47 billion U.S. dollars worth of rapeseed to China in 2023, which also saw a year-on-year volume surge of 170 percent and a continuous decline in prices.

On Sept. 6, China submitted a consultation request to Canada at the WTO over Canada's plan to impose surtaxes on electric vehicles, steel products and aluminum products imported from China, according to the ministry.

It noted that Canada's plan to impose a 100 percent surtax on Chinese-made electric vehicles and a 25 percent surtax on Chinese steel and aluminum products is in violation of Canada's WTO commitments, and is a typical example of unilateralism and trade protectionism.