REGINA — Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay said Chinese officials gave him no indication of where it’s investigation of Canadian canola imports is heading.
He returned from a trip to Beijing earlier this month where he met with industry leaders, importers and Canadian stakeholders.
Speaking to reporters at Canadian Western Agribition, MacAulay said China is Canada’s second largest trading partner.
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“As you know there’s issues that are on the table and we don’t want to escalate anything, but the fact is we deal with the issues as they come forward.”
He said he wouldn’t speculate on those issues, particularly the anti-dumping investigation of canola seed from Canada announced in early September. China is Canada’s largest canola seed customer; more than 4.5 million tonnes worth $3.8 billion went there in 2023. The investigation could take a year.
“You deal with every government as best you can,” he said. “It’s for every country to understand the value of trade and I would continue to say that as long as I’m the minister of agriculture or any portfolio that involves trade, it’s pretty important. Trade is wealth.”
One of his goals in China was to advocate for better opportunities for farmers, processors and exporters and to reinforce Canada’s commitment to fair trade, a level playing field and “more open, sustainable and inclusive trade.”
Canada wants market access restored for Canadian beef and dry pet food that contains poultry ingredients. It is also concerned about China’s delays in approving access requests.
The Canadian Meat Council and Canada Pork joined MacAulay on the trip where the Canadian Meat Advocacy Office was launched.
The two organizations called the office “a dynamic step” to ensure collaboration grows between the two countries. The federal government invested $223,850 over two years to support the office.
MacAulay is also watching developments south of the border after the U.S. election. He said the two countries trade extensively but their industries are also intertwined.
“We do have a cabinet committee that’s working, and we will be working with the Trump administration, but it’s also important that the sectors in the agricultural community work back and forth too,” he said. “We intend to deal with the Trump administration as friends and be sure that we continue the trade.”
MacAulay said it’s important that everyone remains prosperous. Trade deals have been beneficial for both countries and the incoming American administration knows that.
Asked how the Canadian government might deal with an attack on the supply management system, he said there was a “pretty heavy discussion” between the two countries during the first Trump administration.
Then-secretary of agriculture Sonny Perdue was on MacAulay’s farm during that time, he said.
“It cost us some, but it turned out pretty good for everybody and that’s what we want to make sure happens again,” he said.
MacAulay spoke at the Burning of the Brand to open Agribition, as did provincial minister Daryl Harrison. Saskatchewan Roughriders coach Corey Mace was tapped to burn the brand this year.
You can find all our Agribition 2024 coverage here.
Contact karen.briere@producer.com
