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.

Canada introduced limits on how much foreign steel produced in countries other than the U.S. and Mexico can be imported to help a domestic sector reeling from President Trump’s tariffs.

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