
China threatens Canada with countermeasures over steel import curbs
Send this page to someone via email
Share this item on Twitter
Share this item via WhatsApp
Share this item on Facebook
China's commerce ministry called on Canada to correct the 'wrong practice' of restrictions on steel imports and said in a statement on Friday it would take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese firms.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Ottawa this week introduced a tariff rate quota for countries with which it has free trade agreements, excluding the U.S., and imposed additional tariffs on steel imports from all countries containing steel melted and poured in China before the end of July.
–Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; editing by Barbara Lewis

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
Here's why the Bank of Canada could be done cutting interest rates for now
The Bank of Canada has largely kept to the sidelines as it tries to get a sense of how U.S. tariffs will impact the economy — and some economists think it might just stay there. After a quarter-point cut in March, the central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady at 2.75 per cent in April and June. With last month's jobs figures showing a surprise gain and core inflation levels holding steady at around three per cent, economists now broadly expect the central bank will continue its holding pattern at its next decision on July 30. The central bank lowers its policy rate when it wants to encourage spending and boost the economy but keeps borrowing costs elevated when there are concerns inflation could pick up steam. Most economists expect the Bank of Canada will deliver at least one or two more quarter-point cuts in the months ahead. Story continues below advertisement Lower rates would help shore up the economy in the trade war, the argument goes. RBC is among a small group making the case for no more interest rate cuts from the Bank of Canada for the time being. Frances Donald, RBC's chief economist, said the central bank could opt to cut again amid 'pockets' of weakness in the economy — a soft housing market and a sharp slowdown in tariff-struck sectors like manufacturing, to name a few. 'On the flip side,' she said in an interview, 'it's worth considering, would Bank of Canada rate cuts actually help what's hurting the Canadian economy?' The policy rate is a broad tool that affects every Canadian — and every market — regardless of their need for support, Donald noted. That means that tariff-sensitive Windsor, Ont., where the unemployment rate now tops 11 per cent, would see the same stimulus from a rate cut as Victoria, B.C., where the jobless rate currently sits at just 3.9 per cent. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Rate cuts would probably be inappropriate in an economy like that,' Donald said. Instead, RBC argues that markets like Windsor need the precision of fiscal policy support from the government. The Bank of Canada has already delivered 2.25 percentage points of interest rate cuts over the past year, and that support is only now starting to filter into the economy, Donald said. Story continues below advertisement The central bank can now hand the baton to the federal government without having to provide much more support for the economy, she said, unless signs of a broader downturn start to materialize. Donald said RBC has a more optimistic view of the economy than some other forecasters, expecting growth to pick up through the rest of the year thanks to resilient consumer spending and an expected rebound in business confidence. But Oxford Economics, which expects Canada is already in a recession that will persist through the rest of the year, also expects no further interest rate cuts from the central bank. The firm said in an updated outlook this week that while it expects job losses to pick up steam in the months ahead, it also sees inflation rising to three per cent by mid-2026 thanks to tariffs and related supply-chain strain. The Bank of Canada will want to lean against any potential rise in prices and will keep its policy rate on hold even as the trade war stymies growth, Oxford Economics argued. Donald said that after inflation surged over the pandemic, consumers are likely feeling 'scarred' as new price pressures bubble up around them. 'Canadians have been through a very serious affordability crisis and this is a Bank of Canada that's likely going to lean on the side of wanting to prevent a second round,' she said. Story continues below advertisement BMO, meanwhile, has three more interest rate cuts in its forecast currently, with the final coming in March of next year. 2:00 Business Matters: Young adults and low-income households more likely to report financial stress But BMO chief economist Doug Porter acknowledged the arguments are growing for fewer, if any, cuts. 'If you look at what the financial markets are expecting, and they're often a very good judge, at this point they're really only looking for one more cut,' he said in an interview after Tuesday's inflation release. Porter said the federal government is expected to rapidly ramp up spending, particularly on defence and infrastructure, in the coming months, taking some of the pressure off the Bank of Canada to cut rates. Stephen Brown, deputy chief North America economist at Capital Economics, believes it's not reasonable to expect the central bank is done cutting with the unemployment rate holding near seven per cent and the economy's output well below potential. Story continues below advertisement 'I think it's quite unlikely that we're in a position where the economy doesn't need any cuts at all,' he said. At 2.75 per cent, the Bank of Canada's benchmark interest rate is at the middle of its so-called 'neutral range,' where monetary policy is neither boosting nor stifling economic growth. Brown said he expects the policy rate will likely drop to 2.25 per cent before the central bank's easing cycle is done, giving the economy some tailwinds through the trade uncertainty. Donald believes the Bank of Canada is well positioned at the middle of its neutral range — able to pivot lower with a couple of interest rate cuts as needed or keep rates elevated if inflation proves stubborn in the months ahead. She said she doesn't expect interest rate hikes will be in the cards anytime soon, but argues the Bank of Canada maintains overall flexibility by keeping its policy rate on hold until the data tells it which way to move. 'They could choose to stay at this level for the next one to two years waiting for the next shock, which could go in one direction or the next.'


Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
ICE detention a ‘nightmare' says Canadian woman's family
Paula Callejas was trying to expand her swimsuit business in Florida after taking time off to take care of her ailing father in Canada before his death. Instead of celebrating the fashion line, the Canadian was taken into United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention. The 45-year-old's family said their finances are being stretched as they try to navigate the confusing and difficult legal and immigration systems in the United States. 'She was very strong, very strong,' said her mother Maria Estella Cano. 'Now every, every day she (cries), every day and (says) she can't take it anymore.' U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up deportation efforts since his return to the White House in January after successfully campaigning on a promise to take drastic actions on illegal immigration. The immigration crackdown includes controversial actions like targeting students for protesting, as well as sending people to a notorious prison in El Salvador. There has been an increase in raids by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, called ICE, at restaurants and farms amid dramatic standoffs with protesters. Story continues below advertisement While Trump's team have said they are targeting criminals first, they also said anyone in the country illegally will be deported. Callejas was born and raised in Montreal after her family immigrated from Colombia. She started her swimsuit line in Canada around 2012 and was gaining momentum but when her father became unwell she paused her dreams to help care for him. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Following her father's 2020 death, Callejas restarted her efforts to build a swimsuit company. Family said she did a few runway shows in Florida over the years and saw that there was real opportunity for her fashion line to develop in the state. She even was invited to take part in Miami Swim Week last year. She bought property in Florida, her mother said, and lived a modest life while working to build the brand. Family said they believed she was in the United States on a non-immigrant visa for people with special skills that was set to expire in March. They said she applied for an extension in February, but it was denied for a technical reason around the colour of ink used to sign the document. Family said Callejas reapplied, thinking the issue was solved. On March 28, Callejas was arrested for battery after family said there was an altercation with her then-boyfriend. Family say Callejas maintains her innocence in the situation and said she was defending herself. Story continues below advertisement After posting bail, her family said Callejas was taken into ICE custody. An ICE spokesperson said Callejas entered the United States on a non-immigrant visitor visa and violated the terms of her admission. ICE said she will 'remain in custody pending completion of her immigration proceedings.' Cano said her daughter's detainment has been a 'nightmare' for the family. 'Every time I open my eyes, it is not real life,' Cano said, holding back tears. Family said Callejas has been transferred to at least three different facilities. Finances are being exhausted as they try to get legal representation. They said it cost US$5,000 just for one lawyer to submit paperwork. As Callejas spends more time in detention, her mental health is also suffering, family said. Canos said she wants her daughter to be able to have a fair chance to defend herself in court. Her next appearance for the criminal charge is on Monday. Cano said when that is resolved they want Callejas to leave the United States on her own accord so that she can finish her visa application from Canada and continue her dreams of a swimwear line. Global Affairs Canada said it could not provide information about particular cases because of privacy concerns. Story continues below advertisement The department said on June 27 it was aware of about 55 Canadians detained by ICE. The number of cases has remained relatively stable in recent months, it said, however it fluctuates as cases are resolved and new cases arise. Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, died in ICE custody in South Florida in June. Noviello was being detained pending removal from the U.S., officials said. He entered the U.S. in 1988 on a legal visa and became a lawful permanent resident in 1991. He was convicted of drug trafficking and other charges in 2023 and sentenced to a year in prison, officials said. Noviello was picked up by ICE agents at his probation office last month and charged with removability because of his drug conviction, authorities said. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said on social media at the time that 'Canadian consular officials are urgently seeking more information from U.S. officials.'


Canada News.Net
9 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Researchers: Hackers with China ties hit Taiwan chip supply
SUNNYVALE, California: Cyber espionage groups aligned with China have ramped up targeted attacks on Taiwan's semiconductor sector and industry analysts, according to new research released by cybersecurity firm Proofpoint. The analysis outlines an uptick in hacking campaigns between March and June, with activity from at least three China-linked groups, some of which remains ongoing. The intrusions are part of a broader effort to gather intelligence on Taiwan's chip industry as tensions rise over U.S. export controls and China's efforts to develop domestic semiconductor alternatives. "We've seen entities that we hadn't ever seen being targeted in the past being targeted," said Mark Kelly, a threat researcher at Proofpoint, based out of Sunnyvale, California. The campaigns have focused on 15 to 20 organizations, including small companies, global enterprises, and investment analysts, some working at a central U.S.-headquartered bank. The researchers declined to name the specific targets or confirm whether any attempts were successful. Hackers used varied techniques. In one case, attackers used compromised Taiwanese university email accounts to pose as job seekers, sending malicious PDFs or password-protected files to employees at semiconductor design and manufacturing firms. Another group posed as a fake investment firm targeting analysts focused on Taiwan's chip market. Proofpoint did not specify the companies affected, but Taiwan is home to major chipmakers including TSMC, MediaTek, UMC, Nanya, and RealTek. Most firms declined to comment or did not respond. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said China opposes all forms of cybercrime and is also a victim of such threats. Taiwanese cybersecurity firm TeamT5 confirmed an increase in email-based attacks but noted they weren't yet widespread. It emphasized that semiconductors have long been a "constant interest" for advanced China-linked hacking groups. TeamT5 also cited a June case where a group called Amoeba targeted a chemical company tied to the semiconductor supply chain, highlighting hackers' interest in peripheral industries as well.