Citing Beijing’s “intentional, state-directed policy of overcapacity and lack of rigorous labour and environmental standards,” the Finance Department launched a new 30-day consultation on potential trade measures on semiconductors, critical minerals, batteries and their components, and solar products. (The Logic)

Talking point: Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement that Canada needs to protect key manufacturing industries from unfair competition. A previous consultation on electric vehicles resulted in 100 per cent tariffs on EVs from manufacturers in China and 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, all starting in October. Those have led China to consider retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola, a prospect that has Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay “deeply concerned” about a roughly $5-billion export. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new economic adviser Mark Carney warned at a Liberal gathering in Nanaimo, B.C., that Canada needs to make itself an “essential” trading partner for friendly countries.