The federal government says it 'strongly condemns' the execution of multiple Canadians in China earlier this year over what Beijing says were 'drug-related crimes.'

Canada's government says China executed four Canadians earlier this year. Such executions of Westerners are relatively rare.

China imposed retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian farm and food imports earlier this month, after Canada imposed duties in October on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products. Beijing has bemoaned Ottawa following the U.S. in restricting the sale of Chinese goods, particularly electric vehicles.