(Rural Roots Canada) – China’s ambassador to Canada tells CTV News that his country will drop its tariffs on Canadian agriculture if Canada removes its tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
Wang Di says that if Canada removes what he calls unjustified tariffs on Chinese products, China will reciprocate on relevant Canadian products.
In March, China slapped retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola and other agricultural products in response to trade restrictions imposed by Canada in 2024. The tariffs were in response to Canada’s decision last fall to impose duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products. The retaliatory tariffs included a 100% duty on Canadian canola oil and canola meal. In August, China announced a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 75.8% on canola seed.
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In a post on X, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe urged Ottawa to resolve the trade dispute, noting that Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is travelling to India, Singapore, and China in the days ahead.
“Minister Anand is in China over the next few days,” it reads. “This is a clear signal of how Ottawa can act this week; It’s time for Ottawa to get this deal done on behalf of 200K Canadian workers.”
In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says tariffs on EVs should cost farmers their livelihoods, and urged Carney to “seize the opportunity” presented to the ambassador.
“The ambassador’s comments offer a clear path to de-escalation and relief for our agricultural sector,” reads the letter. “Given the importance of canola and pork to Manitoba and the Prairie economy, I encourage your Government to pursue a negotiated resolution; eliminate the EV tariff in exchange for restoring full access for Canadian agricultural products to the Chinese market.”
Several high-ranking Canadian politicians and lawmakers have recently visited China, including Premier Moe and Kody Blais, parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister. Last month, Carney met with the Premier of China, Li Qiang, at the UN General Assembly in New York, where they “discussed respective sensitivities regarding issues, including agriculture and agri-food products, such as canola, as well as seafood and electric vehicles,” according to a statement from the PMO.
