China launches WTO dispute with Canada on steel and aluminum surtaxes

BERLIN, Aug 20 (Reuters) - China has requested dispute consultations at the World Trade Organization regarding Canadian surtaxes and quotas on steel and aluminum goods, the WTO said on Wednesday.

The disputed measures include a surtax in the form of tariff-rate quotas on certain steel imports originating from Canada's non-free trade agreement partners, including China, a notice from the WTO said.

China is also challenging a surtax on certain goods that contain steel or aluminum originating from China, it added.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, trying to protect the domestic steel industry, last month said Canada would implement 25% tariffs on steel imports from all countries containing steel melted and poured in China before the end of July.

"We will not hesitate to act when our industries are threatened by unfair practices," said Huzaif Qaisar, a spokesman for Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu.

"These measures are a direct response to China's over capacity and non-market behavior, which are undermining Canada’s steel sector and threatening Canadian jobs," he said by email.