【By Liu Bai, Observer Net】Canada has been continuously sending signals to deepen cooperation with China. Recently, Heath McDonald, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Food, who visited China, said in an interview on November 10 that his visit to China marks the beginning of a thaw in Sino-Canadian bilateral relations, which is precisely what Canadian farmers and canola exporters are urgently hoping for.

According to Reuters, China was once Canada's main market for canola exports. In 2024, Canada's canola sales to China reached 4.9 billion CAD (approximately 24.8 billion RMB). However, over the past few months, due to trade conflicts initiated by Canada, leading to Chinese trade retaliation, the export of canola to China has actually come to a standstill.

Canadian media reported that tariff measures directly led to a sharp increase in the cost of canola exports, with 40,000 canola growers in western Canada losing tens of thousands of dollars per person.

"It's no longer 2018; it's now 2025. Canada has a new government and a new leader, and we hope to promote economic and trade cooperation," McDonald said a week after returning from his visit to China.

Heath McDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food of Canada

In 2018, Canada detained a Huawei executive based on an American arrest warrant, prompting China to suspend most of Canada's canola imports and some other products. As the incident was resolved, Sino-Canadian relations eased, and canola exports to China rebounded.

However, after that, Canada's then-Prime Minister Trudeau followed the US in setting up trade barriers against China, causing further turbulence in Sino-Canadian trade relations.

Last year, the Canadian government followed the US in imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum. China has taken countermeasures, including adding a 100% tariff on Canadian rapeseed oil, meal, and peas in March, and a 25% tariff on lobster, frozen crab, and various pork products, as well as a 75.8% anti-dumping duty on Canadian canola in August.

Recently, Chinese Ambassador to Canada Wang Di posted on social media stating that Canada's cancellation of the electric vehicle tariffs would "bring a spring of improved bilateral relations." He told the Canadian television station that this move would prompt China to lower its tariffs on Canada.

McDonald revealed that during his visit to China, he met with senior Chinese officials, agricultural research representatives, and agricultural business leaders, and these Chinese individuals expressed willingness to cooperate in the agricultural sector.

He said that China has not yet provided a specific timetable or made any commitments to cancel the relevant trade restrictions, but the bilateral relationship has clearly warmed up. At the same time, both sides also discussed the trade disputes caused by electric vehicles.

"We are seizing the current favorable opportunity, and maintaining open communication channels is crucial," McDonald said.

The report stated that after his visit to China, technical officials have started working to resolve various obstacles in bilateral trade.

On October 31, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Chinese leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. This was the first formal meeting between the two country's leaders since 2017. Trudeau was invited to visit China.

"This marks a turning point in Sino-Canadian bilateral relations," Trudeau wrote on social media platform X after the meeting, stating that China and Canada "are committed to rebuilding bilateral relations in a pragmatic and constructive way," and will take action to resolve outstanding trade issues and friction points. "We look forward to making progress on these trade issues while strengthening bilateral relations," he said.

McDonald said that this event also demonstrated that Sino-Canadian bilateral relations are gradually easing.

He said, "I am confident, really optimistic. I believe our communication and negotiation will be effective, because both countries have a strong desire to promote cooperation."

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' regular press conference on November 3, spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China is willing to work with Canada to use this meeting as an opportunity to resume and restart exchanges and cooperation in all fields, and to advance the resolution of specific economic and trade issues of mutual concern, so that Sino-Canadian relations can return to a healthy, stable, and sustainable correct track as soon as possible, better benefiting the people of both countries.

As Sino-Canadian relations accelerate their repair, the Canadian tourism industry has received a significant favorable message: the Chinese government has allowed travel agencies to resume operating group tours for Chinese citizens to Canada.

Sebastien Benedict, president of the Canadian Tourism Association, expressed his delight at the Chinese government's restoration of Canada's "Approved Destination Status" (ADS) qualification.

"Chinese tourists are one of our most valuable tourist groups, staying longer and spending more. This decision will promote the return of group tourism, help rebuild routes, and support employment and business development in regions across Canada," he said.

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