BEIJING – China is deeply dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to Canada's imposition of tariffs on products containing Chinese steel, and will take all necessary measures to safeguard the lawful rights of Chinese enterprises, the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday.

The ministry's remarks came after Canada announced on Wednesday an additional tariff of 25 percent on steel imports from all countries, excluding the United States, containing steel melted and poured in China.

"In fact, the primary cause of the difficulties facing Canada's steel industry lies in the unilateral tariff measures imposed by the US," a spokesperson with the ministry said.

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Yet, the Canadian government has evaded addressing this core issue while attempting to shift the burden of industrial damage onto trading partners, including China, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson stressed that Canada's approach lacks justification in principle, has no legal basis, and will prove ineffective. It will severely undermine normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Canada.

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China called on Canada to immediately correct its wrongdoing, and cease restrictive measures. China will take all necessary measures to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises, the spokesperson added.