Canola industry says reopening Chinese market a priority

Prime Minister Carney and Sask. Premier Scott Moe are visiting China this week

The Canola Council of Canada wants the prime minister’s trip to China to be a successful one.

“We have been clear that this is a political issue that requires a political solution, to be resolved at the highest levels between our two governments. With this in mind, we are encouraged by the announcement of the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to China,” the organization told Farms.com in an emailed statement. “Reopening this market to smoother, more predictable canola trade between Canada and China is a priority and we continue to engage with the federal government to find a resolution to these issues as expeditiously as possible.”

Prime Minister Carney is in China from Jan. 13 to 17 to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials “to elevate engagement on trade, energy, agriculture, and international security,” the trip announcement says.

Canadian canola oil and meal currently face a 100 per cent tariff from China, while canola seed is taxed at 75.8 per cent.

These are in response to Canada following the U.S.’s lead on putting its own tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum.

And while the upcoming meetings are positive, farmers want results.

“I’m not getting my hopes up too much because talk is cheap and hopefully we can get some action from both sides out of this meeting to alleviate this trade problem that we have because it’s really hitting home for local producers and for our rural communities,” Devon Walker, a producer and director with Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, told Global News.

Sask. Premier Scott Moe is joining the prime minister on the trip.

Moe visited China in September 2025 to advocate for Canadian ag and is ready to help where he can this time around.

“I am pleased to join Prime Minister Carney as we advance interests that are important to Canadians,” he said in a Jan. 12 statement.

Other Canadian ag products, like pork and peas, are facing tariffs from China too.

Farms.com has contacted the Canadian Pork Council for what it hopes represents a successful trip for the Canadian delegation.