The Ministry of Commerce Photo: VCG

China has extended its anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola seeds until March 2026, the Ministry of Commerce（MOFCOM） announced on Friday. Chinese experts said the move underscores Beijing's responsible handling of trade cases, contrasting with some countries' tendency to politicize economic issues, while emphasizing that China's approach is lawful, WTO-compliant and evidence-based.

MOFCOM said on Friday that its anti-dumping investigation into canola seeds imported from Canada, launched in September 9, 2024, will be extended until March 9, 2026, citing the complexity of the case.

"The Chinese government's decision is consistent with international trade rules as well as domestic regulations on anti-dumping," Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Friday. "Extension of the probe into the case is made in line with actual circumstances, indicating that China has always handled such cases within the WTO framework."

"The extension of this anti-dumping investigation shows that China is taking a responsible attitude in handling the case," Gao Lingyun, a research fellow at the Institute of World Economics and Politics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday. "Unlike some countries that tend to politicize economic and trade issues, China's approach is lawful, compliant with WTO rules, prudent and evidence-based, ensuring that any conclusions can withstand scrutiny."

Li added that the extension also reflects the complexity of the case. "In addition to the intricacies involved, it is possible that new materials or evidence have been submitted, which requires further review. Extending the investigation period ensures a more thorough and fair process," he said.

Previously, MOFCOM announced on August 12 the preliminary ruling on its anti-dumping investigation into imports of rape or colza seeds originating from Canada, noting that it will implement temporary anti-dumping measures in the form of a deposit on imported rape or colza seeds originating from Canada starting from August 14.

A deposit rate of 75.8 percent is imposed on all Canadian companies, according to the announcement of MOFCOM.

After investigation, the investigating authority preliminarily determined that there was dumping of the imported investigated products originating in Canada, causing substantial harm to the domestic canola seed industry in China, and that there was a causal relationship between the dumping and the substantial damage, the announcement said.

Global Times