Chinese-language posts that appeared on social media over the past few weeks claimed that Canada was one of 32 countries that revoked China's “most favored nation” trade status on Dec. 1.
The statement arose from 2021 rumors that conflate MFN status with the “generalized system of preferences” certificates that China stopped issuing to Canada and other countries on Dec. 1 of that year.
China remains Canada's most favored country, meaning it is entitled to equal treatment as a trading partner.
CLAIM
Since November, several Chinese-language posts on Western social media have claimed that Canada was one of 32 countries to revoke China's “most favored nation” status.
Most favored nation treatment refers to a trade principle that gives trading partners equal status. Countries trading as members of the World Trade Organization are required to provide the same trade benefits to all countries, with some exceptions.
Image posted on Platform X (formerly Twitter) and several
The Times on Facebook said Canada is one of 32 countries that have revoked China's most-favored-nation trade status as of Dec. 1.
There have been several similar statements
times on Threads and also on YouTube.
FACTS
A keyword search of the Chinese text reveals that this is not the first time the claim has appeared online.
In 2021, Hong Kong-based HKBU Fact Check reported on a lawsuit that appeared to arise from a Facebook post. The message contained an identical statement that on December 1, 32 countries revoked China's most favored nation status.
However, further keyword search reveals the original ad from the General Administration of Customs of China, which mentions 32 countries.
In the announcement, the customs agency said it would stop issuing Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) certificates of origin for goods exported to 32 countries, including Canada and the European Union.
According to the World Trade Organization, the certificates provide preferential tariffs on imports from developing countries.
The China Customs Agency said some countries had rejected China's GSP regime over the years because rapid economic development meant China was no longer considered a low-income country. The agency said it will stop issuing GSP certificates of origin to 32 countries as of December 1.
A 2021 China Briefing article discussed the confusion over the announcement, noting that 32 countries stopped granting GSP status to China over several years, rather than all at once. As of January 1, 2015, Canada removed its version of the GSP for China and 71 other countries.
China and Canada are members of the World Trade Organization and retain the right to most favored nation status. China remains on Canada's list of countries granted this status.
On March 2, 2022, Canada revoked Russia and Belarus' MFN status in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and imposed a blanket tariff of 35 percent on most goods. However, the government made an exception for cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope used in some medical products, because the government said it could not obtain enough of it elsewhere.
With files from Nono Shen.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2025.
