From January 14 to 17, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney paid an official visit to China upon invitation. During the visit, the two sides reached extensive consensus on deepening economic and trade cooperation, signed the China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap, and developed a preliminary joint arrangement to address bilateral economic and trade issues. An official of MOFCOM’s Department of American and Oceanian Affairs provided an interpretation regarding the relevant economic and trade consultation outcomes.

Q: What are the main contents and highlights of the China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap?

A: This visit marked the first trip to China by a Canadian Prime Minister in eight years. On January 15, witnessed by both Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Mark Carney, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu signed the China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap on behalf of their respective ministries. This document represents a significant milestone within the framework of the new Strategic Partnership between the two countries as it is the first high-level cooperation document in the history of China-Canada economic and trade relations. Its main contents and highlights include:

First, both sides agree to strengthen the China-Canada Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETC) mechanism. They agree to elevate the JETC from a vice-ministerial-level to a ministerial-level cooperation mechanism, promote the comprehensive restoration and resumption of dialogues and exchanges between their various working groups, including those on intellectual property and trade remedies, and reaffirm the JETC’s role as the main channel for advancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation and managing and resolving economic and trade differences. This provides a solid institutional guarantee for accelerating the development of China-Canada economic and trade relations and further enhancing the level of economic and trade cooperation.

Second, both sides agree to expand pragmatic economic and trade cooperation across all fields. The Roadmap systematically constructs a cooperation framework encompassing eight areas: the JETC mechanism, bilateral economic and trade relations, agrifood and food security, green and sustainable trade, e-commerce cooperation and trade promotion, facilitation of personnel exchanges, economic and financial engagement, and multilateral and regional economic and trade cooperation. It outlines 28 cooperative measures and provides comprehensive planning for cooperation in conventional sectors such as energy, agriculture, consumer goods, and SMEs, as well as in emerging areas like new materials, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and green products. China-Canada economic and trade cooperation is expected to enter a fast lane of development.

Third, the two sides reach a positive consensus on cooperation within multilateral and regional frameworks. They agree to support a rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, jointly promote the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference to yield pragmatic outcomes on the WTO reform, reaffirm their work within the framework of WTO rules, and endeavor to avoid the implementation of unilateral measures in the future. Additionally, the Canadian side made positive statements on China’s hosting of the 2026 APEC meeting and on China’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The consensus represents the strength of the two sides in supporting multilateralism and sends a shared message to the international community.

Q: The Joint Statement of the China-Canada Leaders’ Meeting mentions that the two sides have formed a preliminary joint arrangement to address relevant economic and trade issues. Can you provide more information on this?

A: To implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Canada, the two sides recently conducted multiple rounds of intensive consultations at various levels concerning economic and trade issues of mutual interest. Specific arrangements have been made to properly address economic and trade issues in areas including electric vehicles (EVs), steel and aluminum products, canola seed, and agricultural and aquatic products. In addition, the two sides have reached a positive consensus on other economic and trade issues, including increasing direct flights, improving the business environment, and agricultural product inspection and quarantine. This represents a significant step towards addressing each other’s economic and trade concerns and marks a new starting point for deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

In the next steps, guided by the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, the two sides will work together to implement the hard-won consultation outcomes, expedite the finalization of details, establish clear timelines, formulate action plans, and move faster to complete respective domestic procedures, to ensure those outcomes are implemented and take effect at an earlier date. The two sides will also make full use of the JETC mechanism to continue expanding cooperation, resolving issues, and managing differences, thereby promoting the sound, stable, and sustainable development of China-Canada economic and trade relations.

Q: We have noted that the Canadian side stated in an interview that it will adjust measures related to China’s EV exports to Canada. Can you provide more details on this?

A: China has taken note of the Canadian side’s remarks. In 2024, Canada imposed an additional 100% tariff on Chinese EVs, which significantly impacted China’s EV exports to Canada. According to the latest adjustment arrangement, Canada will grant an annual quota of 49,000 units for Chinese EVs. Within the quota, these vehicles will be subject to the 6.1% most-favored-nation tariff rate, and the additional 100% tariff will no longer be imposed. The quota amount will increase annually by a certain percentage. China views this as a positive step taken by Canada in the right direction, and it is also good news for Chinese EV makers to explore the Canadian market. We hope that Canada will actively fulfill its commitments, continue to work with China in the same direction, and engage in friendly consultations to create a fairer, more stable, and non-discriminatory environment for further expanding trade and investment cooperation in the EV industry between the two countries. We also hope that relevant businesses in the two countries will seize the opportunity to strengthen cooperation, and achieve win-win outcomes.

Q: Canada is concerned about the export of canola seed and certain agricultural and aquatic products to China. It is learned that the two sides have reached a preliminary consensus on adjusting anti-dumping measures on canola seed, among other issues. Can you provide more information on this?

A: Through multiple rounds of consultations conducted in the spirit of cooperation, China and Canada have worked to shorten the list of problems. The Canadian side will make positive adjustments to unilateral measures it has taken, such as those targeting Chinese EVs, steel and aluminum products, as well as cases involving the investment and operations of Chinese enterprises in Canada. Correspondingly, China will, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, adjust anti-dumping measures on canola seed imported from Canada and the anti-discrimination measures taken against certain Canadian agricultural and aquatic products. It is believed that these arrangements will play a positive role in deepening cooperation in relevant industries between China and Canada and enhancing the well-being of both peoples.