China has announced a temporary suspension of some tariffs on Canadian agricultural products following the January visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Beijing and his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The statement was released by China’s Ministry of Finance on February 27, Reuters reported.
From March 1 through the end of 2026, Beijing will suspend the 100% tariffs on imports of Canadian rapeseed meal and peas, and will also remove a 25% duty on lobster and crab shipments. The move forms part of agreements reached during bilateral talks aimed at easing a prolonged trade dispute between the two countries.
However, the Chinese statement made no reference to tariffs on rapeseed seed. Ottawa had previously expected the rate to be reduced from the current 84% to around 15% starting March 1. China’s Ministry of Commerce has said its investigation into Canadian rapeseed imports is set to conclude on March 9, leaving room for further adjustments.
Market analysts note that Chinese buyers have already been booking Canadian rapeseed cargoes for March shipment, suggesting expectations of a softer tariff regime. Rapeseed oil and pork were also not mentioned in the announcement, though additional measures could still be introduced.
China was Canada’s second-largest market for rapeseed in 2024. The partial tariff suspension comes amid intensified diplomatic engagement between Beijing and Western countries, as trade tensions with the United States have resurfaced following the return to office of Donald Trump. During his visit, Carney also signaled Canada’s readiness to allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the country at a 6.1% most-favoured-nation tariff rate.
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