Canadian officials held what they described as constructive talks with their Chinese counterparts this month to address the steep duties Beijing has placed on Canadian canola. The discussions, which took place during a visit to China from September 6 to 9, were led by the premier of Saskatchewan, Canada’s largest grain-growing province, alongside federal legislator Kody Blois, who advises Prime Minister Mark Carney on agricultural policy.
China, the world’s largest buyer of canola, imposed preliminary duties of 75.8 percent on Canadian canola seed imports in August. A final ruling is expected next year, but the move has already rattled Canadian farmers and exporters who depend heavily on the Chinese market. Canada is the world’s largest exporter of canola, shipping almost C$5 billion ($3.63 billion) worth of canola products to China in 2024.
In a statement on Friday, Carney’s office confirmed that the delegation raised Beijing’s duties as part of a broader discussion on trade irritants. “The officials discussed several trade concerns, including duties imposed on imports of canola products from Canada. The delegation had constructive discussions to these ends with Chinese officials,” the statement said. “The visit paves the way for further constructive engagement with Chinese counterparts to find pragmatic solutions to shared trade concerns.”
Carney has publicly pledged to resolve the dispute, stressing that protecting Canada’s agricultural sector is a top priority for his government. Last week he said he and senior ministers would remain engaged with Beijing to push for fair access to the Chinese market. Ottawa’s concern is not only the short-term economic impact but also the long-term stability of a trade relationship that supports thousands of Canadian farmers.
The canola sector is central to Canada’s agricultural economy, particularly in the prairie provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba. Canola oil is a key global cooking product, while canola meal is widely used in livestock feed. Producers have warned that the 75.8 percent duty makes Canadian seed exports to China commercially unviable, and uncertainty about next year’s final ruling is already weighing on planting decisions and future investment.
Industry groups in Canada welcomed news of the talks but stressed that results are urgently needed. Farmers and exporters argue that losing stable access to the Chinese market could have long-lasting effects, not only on crop prices but also on Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier. They have urged Ottawa to keep pressing Beijing for a resolution before the next growing season begins.
China’s decision to impose preliminary duties was framed as a response to alleged unfair trade practices, though Canadian officials reject the claim. Observers see the move as part of a broader pattern of trade tensions between the two countries, which have included disputes over agricultural products, technology, and foreign investment in recent years.
While the talks in China did not yield an immediate breakthrough, Canadian officials highlighted that the engagement itself was a positive step. By meeting face-to-face with Chinese authorities, the delegation signaled Canada’s willingness to maintain dialogue and search for pragmatic solutions rather than allow the dispute to deepen. Both governments left the door open to further discussions in the coming months.
For now, Canadian farmers and exporters remain caught in a period of uncertainty. The final ruling on the duties, expected in 2025, will determine whether Canada retains meaningful access to its single most important export market for canola. Until then, industry leaders say stability and clarity are essential to protect investment and prevent long-term damage.
The outcome of this dispute will have consequences far beyond canola growers. It will test whether Canada and China can manage trade disagreements without allowing them to derail a vital commercial relationship, and whether Ottawa can secure continued access to one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing food markets.
