China has agreed to extend its tariff relief on key Canadian agricultural and seafood exports by two years, securing predictable market access through December 2028 as Ottawa works to expand bilateral trade.
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu announced the extension on November 4, 2026, following high-level meetings in Beijing, according to The Globe and Mail. The agreement maintains tariff-free treatment for Canadian canola meal, peas, lobster, and crab, averting an expiration date that had threatened producers as the year drew to a close.
The original tariff relief took effect in March. This followed Prime Minister Mark Carney‘s January trip to Beijing.
Canada and China struck a deal during that trip to pause 100 per cent tariffs on canola meal and peas. They also paused 25 per cent tariffs on lobster and crab.
In exchange, Canada granted temporary remission measures for certain Chinese steel and aluminum products through the end of 2028.
Canada also allowed up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles annually into the Canadian market at a 6.1 per cent tariff rate.
Export Volumes Surge Under Trade Arrangement
According to figures released by Sidhu’s office, bilateral trade momentum has accelerated since the framework took effect.
Canola seed exports to China jumped 84 per cent to C$1.91 billion. This compares to C$1.04 billion during the corresponding period a year earlier.
Canola meal exports more than doubled from C$146 million to C$390 million. Pea shipments climbed from C$107 million to C$345 million.
Seafood and meat sectors also registered substantial gains.
Lobster shipments increased 57 per cent. They rose from C$128 million to C$200 million.
Canadian beef returned to the Chinese market in January for the first time since 2021. It generated C$363.2 million in exports between January and August.
Total merchandise trade between Canada and China reached C$125.7 billion in 2025. This established China as Canada’s second-largest single-country trading partner, as reported by The Canadian Press, according to BNN Bloomberg.
Agricultural Sector Responds to Extended Certainty
Farming and provincial officials welcomed the two-year runway as essential for operational planning.
Warren Kaeding, Saskatchewan’s trade minister, told reporters in Regina that the extension gives producers confidence to manage their cropping rotations heading into the spring.
This extension gives Canadian farmers, producers and harvesters stable access to China and supports billions in export opportunities,
Sidhu said in a news release issued from Beijing.
I’m pleased the fishing industry gets this support and we’ve got certainty going forward,
Thompson said.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu served as co-chairs in Beijing on Tuesday for the 29th gathering of the China-Canada Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETC).
Accompanying Sidhu were Heath MacDonald, the agriculture minister; Glenn Purves, who serves as deputy minister for international trade; and Aaron Fowler, holding the role of chief trade negotiator at Global Affairs Canada.
Throughout the preceding year, Sidhu has held discussions with various sector groups, such as the Canola Council of Canada, Pulse Canada, the Fisheries Council of Canada, the Canadian Cattle Association, and the Canadian Meat Council.
Vina Nadjibulla, co-founder of the Centre for Strategic Statecraft, noted in an emailed statement that the timing of the announcement is noteworthy as Ottawa manages economic relationships with Beijing and Washington simultaneously.
Bilateral Engagements Ahead in Vancouver and Beijing
Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Ottawa in May.
The current journey will feature a session of the Canada-China Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue. This dialogue counts Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem and Peter Routledge, superintendent of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, among its participants.
Earlier coverage: Canada and EU Launch Montreal Summit Talks Led by Carney