Moe to go to China to discuss canola tariffs
Federal agriculture minister MacDonald says it's too early to say what help farmers need
| 2 min read
By Reuters
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks to the media during the 2025 summer meetings of Canada's Premiers at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ont., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Photo: Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via ZUMA Press
UPDATED — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said on Thursday that he would travel to China soon for talks on persuading Beijing to drop its new tariffs on canola.
China hit Canadian canola seed imports with preliminary 75.8 per cent duties last week following an anti-dumping investigation, escalating a year-long trade dispute. China is by far Canada’s biggest canola seed market.
Canada exported almost C$5 billion of canola products to China in 2024, about 80 per cent of which was seed, and the steep duties would likely all but end those Chinese imports if they are maintained.
China objected when Canada imposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles a year ago, and launched an anti-dumping investigation into canola seed shortly thereafter. In February, it imposed a tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal, as well as a number of other agricultural products.
This month’s addition of canola seed to China’s tariff targets came shortly after Canada imposed tariffs on steel in July, which also upset Beijing.
“Myself will be in China in the next couple of weeks with potentially another opportunity for engagement before the end of the calendar year,” Moe told a televised news conference after a meeting with industry officials and federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald.
“(We will) work alongside our federal government to ensure that we are advocating and advancing to ultimately … find the resolution to this trade challenge.”
Moe reiterated a call for federal aid for the industry. Prime Minister Mark Carney last week said Ottawa was focusing on a series of supports but did not give specific details.
MacDonald pledges support
Canadian Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald also pledged support for farmers and the industry.
“We’re working diligently alongside them,” MacDonald said in a phone interview after the meeting ended.
MacDonald said it was too early to decide what help farmers might need, but “it could be there some day” if the dispute drags on.
He added that it was difficult to assess all of China’s motives in the dispute.
“You’re dealing with a partner that you’re not 100 per cent sure all of the time what their prerogatives are. Are they just political, or is it something else?” MacDonald said.
— Reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Ed White in Winnipeg.
