Removing Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture products a priority, says Carney

The federal government plans to work urgently to remove Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday.

“The Canadian government is engaging with its Chinese counterparts at the ministerial level and we’ll continue those discussions,” Carney told reporters after meeting with premiers in Saskatoon.

“They’re a top priority for us.”

The commitment came in a statement after the meeting and it says premiers want Canada’s trading relationship with China to improve.

Beijing imposed retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal, peas and seafood after Ottawa slapped levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he welcomes the the move, as China’s tariffs threaten the province’s canola industry.

“(These discussions) are precisely what this will take to not only secure our market access for products in the long term, but secure a more broad trading relationship with China,” Moe said.