Saskatoon (Rural Roots Canada) – Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe met with federal government officials on Thursday to discuss the ongoing trade dispute between Canada and China over canola.
Standing alongside Kody Blois, the parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Moe said he wants the PM to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve the dispute that has led to hefty tariffs on Canadian canola products.
Earlier this month, China announced a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 75.8% on canola seed, on top of the 100% tariffs already hitting canola oil and meal announced in March.
Moe said the provinces need to work collaboratively with the canola industry and the federal government to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Moe is planning a trade mission to China and wants Carney to join him.
“It isn’t going to be Premier Moe and President Xi that stand up and say we’ve come to a trade deal here and everything is good moving forward,” said Moe. “It’s going to be the prime minister of Canada, Prime Minister Carney, and President Xi that ultimately are going to speak on behalf of their countries.”
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Blois added that the meeting was constructive and collaborative, and the Canadian government is deeply aware of the impact these tariffs are having on Western Canada.
“To those involved in the canola industry at the producer level, we know the level of anxiety and the uncertainty of the market access and what the means,” said Blois. “We have tools at our disposal, we know your value, and we’re going to work hand in hand with the government of Saskatchewan to see what we can do to mitigate the situation in the days ahead.”
“We are there to support the canola industry, the export industry, and the agri-food industry more broadly, and those conversations will continue,” reiterated Moe.
China slapped retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola and other agricultural products in response to trade restrictions imposed by Canada last year, when Canada imposed duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products. The retaliatory tariffs included a 100% duty on Canadian canola oil and canola meal. The latest tariffs were tacked on following an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Canadian canola seed.
In a statement, Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said the government was “profoundly disappointed” with China’s decision.
“Canola is one of our most valuable agricultural exports and an important driver of the Canadian economy,” reads the statement. “We are steadfast in our commitment to defend and diversify Canadian trade, and we will stand shoulder to shoulder in our support for Canada’s hard-working canola producers, workers and exporters.”
Canola is Canada’s second-largest acreage crop, with over 21 million acres produced annually. In 2024, canola seed production generated almost $13 billion in farm cash receipts, making it the most valuable principal field crop.
China is the largest export market for Canadian canola seed. It represents 67% of total canola seed exports, totalling almost 6 million tonnes in 2024, worth approximately $4 billion.
