Overview
- Prime Minister Mark Carney began a four-day visit to China, the first by a Canadian leader in nearly a decade, with meetings set with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
- Media reports say negotiators are weighing reductions to Canada’s 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs in return for China easing duties on Canadian canola and seafood.
- Federal officials have cautioned canola producers not to expect a full rollback of Chinese levies and have asked grain traders to propose acceptable tariff levels.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Ottawa to keep EV protections, highlighting a split with Prairie leaders who want agricultural access restored.
- The trade backdrop shows added strain as China’s imports from Canada fell 10.4% in 2025, with U.S. policy uncertainty complicating Canada’s push to diversify markets.