China touts stronger trade ties, says Canada can surpass export target

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Canadian officials that Ottawa could exceed its target of raising merchandise exports to China by 50 percent by 2030, according to a joint readout issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The remarks came during virtual and in-person meetings held in Beijing as part of the annual Canada-China Strategic Economic Dialogue. Wang Yi stated that “Canada possesses the capacity to surpass the 50 percent export-growth benchmark well before 2030 if both sides remove remaining non-tariff barriers.” Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng participated in the session and confirmed the exchange in a subsequent statement released by Global Affairs Canada.

The Meeting and Immediate Statements

The dialogue, held on 15 November, focused on agricultural products, critical minerals, and clean-technology supply chains. Wang Yi cited Statistics Canada data showing Canadian exports to China reached C$28.4 billion in 2023, up from C$19.1 billion in 2019, and noted that the trajectory already places the 2030 goal within reach. Ng replied that Canada remains committed to diversifying markets while preserving existing trade volumes with China. Both sides agreed to resume technical talks on canola seed certification and to establish a working group on lithium and rare-earth export protocols. No new binding agreements were signed.

Background on Bilateral Trade Targets

Canada set the 50 percent export-growth target in its 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy, which identified China as one of several priority markets despite ongoing political frictions. The figure is measured against the 2019 baseline using Statistics Canada customs data for goods only. Services trade and investment flows are tracked separately by the Department of Foreign Affairs. China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the United States. Key Canadian exports include canola, pork, l

By Malik Hassan, Staff Writer