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.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the government was tightening rules around steel imports in an effort to protect Canada’s domestic industry.

Canada’s steel industry fears that Chinese steel facing steep tariffs in the United States will be sent north and overwhelm the Canadian market.