Canada files WTO trade action against Chinese agriculture, fishery duties

"Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with China concerning Chinese measures that impose additional import duties on certain agricultural and fishery products from Canada," the agency said.

The tariffs, announced earlier this month, hit rapeseed oil, oil cakes -- a type of animal feed -- and peas imported from Canada with a 100 percent surcharge.

Canada is among the world's top producers of canola, a rapeseed crop that is used to make cooking oil, animal feed and biodiesel fuel, and China has historically been one of its largest customers.

Aquatic products and pork, meanwhile, will face a 25 percent levy.

Canadian industry leaders have said they would be hit hard by the new tariffs, which follow a Beijing probe into levies imposed by Ottawa on Chinese goods last year.

The tariffs come as both Canada and China face increasing trade tensions with the United States after new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

Ottawa in August placed 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, matching US measures seeking to fend off a flood of Chinese state-subsidised cars into North America.

It also announced a surcharge on imports of steel and aluminium products from China.

Beijing's commerce ministry said a probe into these measures found that Canadian policies "disrupted the normal trade order and harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises".

After complaints are brought before the WTO, consultations are initiated between the members at odds with each other.

If no agreement is reached, the complainant can request the establishment of a special panel, made up of three to five experts.