Premier Wab Kinew is calling for “immediate action” from Ottawa following a sky-high levy placed on Canadian canola seed imports to China.

China announced a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 75.8 per cent Tuesday. The tax takes effect Thursday.

Canola seed was Manitoba’s biggest export to China last year, bringing in $649 million. Farmers are preparing for this year’s harvest in the coming weeks.

“The Chinese government has clearly launched these tariffs at this time of year to cause maximum impact and maximum uncertainty,” Kinew said Wednesday, speaking at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

He was flanked by heads of the Manitoba Canola Growers and Keystone Agricultural Producers. Financial support from Ottawa is necessary, Kinew asserted.

China claimed Canadian companies have been “d

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