Canada and China have extended favorable market access for Canadian canola meal, peas, lobster, and crab through the end of 2028, supporting over 600,000 Canadian jobs and helping Canada work toward its goal of increasing exports to China by 50% by 2030.
- Canada and China extended tariff relief on canola meal, peas, lobster, and crab through December 2028, pushing back the original end date by two years.
- The deal supports over 600,000 jobs across Canadian agriculture and agri-food sectors.
- China previously cut its combined applied tariff on Canadian canola seed to 14.9% from nearly 85%, improving access for approximately $4 billion in annual exports.
- Canadian exports to China rose 31.4% to $21.5 billion in the first half of 2026, with plans to grow exports by 50% by 2030.
- In return, Canada extended remission measures for certain Chinese steel and aluminum products through 2028.
Canada and China have agreed to extend favorable Chinese market access for Canadian canola meal and peas, along with lobster and crab, by two years to the end of 2028.
Global Affairs Canada announced the extension Wednesday in a news release from Beijing. Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu reached the agreement at a meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission, which he co-led with China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao. It was the first time the commission had met at the ministerial level.
The measures date to the Preliminary Joint Arrangement on Addressing Bilateral Economic and Trade Issues, announced during Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing in January 2026. Under that arrangement, China suspended its anti-discrimination tariffs on canola meal, peas, lobster and crab effective March 1, but only until the end of 2026, according to a March release. The new deal pushes that end date back two years.
The March arrangement also cut China's combined applied tariff on Canadian canola seed to 14.9% from almost 85%, improving access for about $4 billion in annual Canadian canola seed exports. Canola seed is not among the products named in the November extension, and the release does not say whether that rate will change. China also resumed imports of Canadian beef from 20 registered meat plants Jan. 15, 2026. All dollar figures are in Canadian dollars.
In return, Canada will extend through the end of 2028 its remission measures for certain Chinese steel and aluminum products not made in Canada.
Sidhu said the arrangement has lowered tariffs on canola seed, canola meal, peas, lobster and crab and supports sectors with more than 600,000 jobs in Canada.
"This extension gives farmers, producers and harvesters predictable access to the Chinese market, and it's how we will grow our exports to China by 50 per cent by 2030 to create good-paying jobs and new opportunities for businesses across Canada," Sidhu said.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald said the deal supports the whole farm and food supply chain.
"This extension is good news for Canadian farmers, ranchers, and workers across the full agriculture and agri-food value chain," MacDonald said.
China is Canada's second-largest single-country merchandise trading partner, with $125.7 billion in two-way trade in 2025. Canadian merchandise exports to China were worth $35 billion that year, while imports reached $90.6 billion. Canadian exports to China rose 31.4% to $21.5 billion in the first half of 2026, according to the government.
Canada will continue talks with China on reaching its target of increasing exports to China by 50% by 2030, the release said.
