International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu states that the negotiating table will include more relief from Beijing’s tariffs on Canadian canola and peas, in addition to seafood. This is when he intends to meet his Chinese counterpart during the upcoming fall.
This meeting is intended to take place in November in Shenzhen, GD. Shenzhen is the site of this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC). This year, China is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) at this site. by China.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Mark Carney was able to secure lower tariffs on agriculture besides food products. This was in exchange for slashing Canadian duties on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). Additionally, the agreement allows for an annual quota of 49,000 electric vehicles. The agreement also permits the importation of 49,000 electric vehicles into the domestic market each year. into the domestic market. The EV deal lasts 5 years, with quotas increasing annually to reach 73,000 vehicles in another 4 years by 2030. Meanwhile, the reduction of duties on canola products only lasts until the end of this year.
Sidhu adds that the government needs to “present certainty to Canadian farmers.”present certainty to Canadian farmers’. So, he intends to sit down with his Chinese counterpart, besides his deputy minister, to discuss the issue.
The minister had made these remarks during a 15-minute interview with CTV News in Tokyo. On that occasion, Sidhu was leading a Team Canada trade mission to Japan.
Sidhu was asked if the Chinese required more access for the EVs. The request was in exchange for better terms for Canadian canola.
Responding, Sidhu shared that he believed he probably wasn’t prepared to have that conversation through the media. However, adding further, he said that they intend to sustain dialogue with the Chinese on what more the 2 countries can do economically in partnership.
Sidhu added that the Chinese need ‘clarity’ on how the EV sales process might work. This delay was due to the Chinese still moving through Transport Canada’s certification process besides not yet being able to sell Chinese vehicles in Canada.
