China-Canada trade thaw falters as Beijing levies penalties for dumping pea starch
Beijing imposes cash deposits on imports of the widely used agricultural product ahead of Ottawa’s decision on Chinese-made steel racks
Beijing has issued a preliminary verdict finding that pea-starch products imported from Canada were dumped in China, following Ottawa’s anti-dumping investigation into Chinese-made steel racks.
“Relevant authorities have made a preliminary determination that imported pea-starch products originating in Canada have been dumped,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Tuesday. “The dumping acts have caused material damage to the domestic pea-starch industry.”
Starting on Wednesday, importers bringing pea starch from Canada must post cash deposits equivalent to 73.5 per cent of the goods’ customs-assessed value. Commerce authorities launched the anti-dumping probe in August following a complaint filed by six domestic pea starch manufacturers.
Pea starch is primarily used in the food industry as a stabiliser to improve product consistency and texture.
The move comes as Ottawa proceeds with the anti-dumping investigation that authorities initiated in April, targeting steel-rack imports from manufacturers based in or shipping goods from China.