As Canada forges a new path forward in its engagement with China, the world's second-largest economy, it is focused on expanding commercial relations and cooperation, particularly in the areas of energy, clean technology, and climate competitiveness.
Building on Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing earlier this year, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, welcomed a significant step in renewing Canada's economic relationship with China. These developments mark the important progress being made toward the goal of increasing exports to China by 50% by 2030 and support Canada's broader trade diversification agenda.
Effective March 1, 2026, China has:
- suspended anti-discrimination tariffs on canola meal, peas, lobster, and crab until the end of 2026; and
- reduced tariffs on Canadian canola seed to a combined applied tariff rate of 14.9%, representing a major decrease from the previous combined tariff level of almost 85%.
For canola seed, this will improve market access for approximately $4 billion in annual Canadian exports, addressing one of the most significant agricultural trade barriers between Canada and China. Removal of the additional tariffs on Canadian agricultural and fish and seafood products restores market access for these products and will directly benefit Canadian farmers across the country and seafood harvesters on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts by increasing demand, stabilizing prices and creating more predictable market opportunities for their products.
Since Prime Minister Carney's visit to Beijing, China has also resumed beef market access for 20 registered Canadian meat establishments as of January 15, 2026, opening one of the largest meat import markets to Canada. Prior to the suspension of beef imports, Canada's exports to China were valued at $193 million in 2021. In addition, China has resumed access to Canadian porcine and bovine genetics from registered Canadian facilities and a new pet food safety and sanitation requirements protocol was signed in January 2026. China has committed to accelerate the resumption of market access for Canadian pet food including processed pet food, canned pet food, pet treats, and pet chews.
As of March 1, 2026, Canada has:
- implemented an initial country-specific annual quota of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) at the most-favoured-nation tariff rate of 6.1%, lifting the previous 100% surtax; and
- extended the remission of surtaxes for certain Chinese steel and aluminum products that are in short supply and expanded coverage to additional steel, aluminum, and steel derivative products.
As Canada continues to work with determination to diversify trade partnerships and double non-U.S. exports in the next decade, these measures represent a meaningful step toward securing new growth opportunities for Canadian workers, businesses, and communities.
