China has filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Canada's unilateralism and trade protectionism practices, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

The ministry said it has also initiated an anti-discrimination probe into Canada's restrictive measures targeting certain imports from China.

Canada's 100 percent tariff on all Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), including some hybrids, trucks and buses, came into effect on Tuesday. Those measures were first announced in late August. The country also announced on Tuesday that it will impose a 25-percent surtax on select imports of steel and aluminum from China. The surtax on those products will come into effect from October 22.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry responded that Canada's actions violate the principles of market economy and fair competition, severely damaging normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Canada, greatly impacting their economic relations, and disrupting and distorting global industrial and supply chains.

The ministry urged Canada to view bilateral economic and trade cooperation rationally and objectively, comply with the WTO rules, and not stray further down the wrong path. "China will take all necessary measures to firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," the ministry said.