The head of the US Department of Commerce interprets the results of China Canada economic and trade consultations
From January 14th to 17th, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Carney was invited to pay an official visit to China. During the visit, both sides reached a broad consensus on deepening economic and trade cooperation, signed the "China Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap", and formed a preliminary joint arrangement on handling bilateral economic and trade issues. The person in charge of the US Department of Commerce interpreted the relevant economic and trade achievements.
1、 What are the main contents and highlights of the China Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap?
Answer: This visit is the first visit to China by a Canadian Prime Minister in 8 years. On January 15th, witnessed by Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Carney, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Canadian Minister of International Trade Sidu signed the "China Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap" on behalf of their respective departments. This is an important milestone achieved by the two countries under the framework of the new strategic partnership and the first high-level cooperation document in the history of bilateral economic and trade relations. The main content and highlights include the following aspects:
One is that both sides have agreed to strengthen the mechanism of the China Canada Joint Economic and Trade Commission. Agree to upgrade the China Canada Joint Economic and Trade Commission from a vice ministerial level to a ministerial level cooperation mechanism, promote the comprehensive restoration and restart of dialogue and exchanges among various working groups on intellectual property rights, trade remedies, etc., and reaffirm the main channel role of the Joint Commission in promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation, managing and resolving economic and trade disputes. This provides a solid mechanism guarantee for accelerating the upgrading of China Canada economic and trade relations and further enhancing the level of economic and trade cooperation.
Secondly, both sides unanimously agreed to comprehensively expand pragmatic economic and trade cooperation in various fields. The roadmap system has established a cooperation pattern between the two sides in eight areas, including the Economic and Trade Joint Committee mechanism, bilateral economic and trade relations, agricultural food and food security, green and sustainable trade, e-commerce cooperation and trade promotion, personnel facilitation, economic and financial cooperation, and multilateral and regional economic and trade cooperation. It proposes 28 cooperation measures and makes comprehensive plans for cooperation in traditional fields such as energy, agriculture, consumer goods, and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as new fields such as new materials, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and green products. China Canada economic and trade cooperation is expected to enter the fast lane of development.
Thirdly, both sides have reached a positive consensus on cooperation within multilateral and regional frameworks. Agree to support the rules based and WTO centered multilateral trading system, jointly promote the practical results of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO on WTO reform, reaffirm the work carried out within the framework of WTO rules, and strive to avoid unilateral measures in the future. In addition, Canada has made positive statements regarding China's hosting of the 2026 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting and its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). These consensuses have consolidated the strength of both sides' support for multilateralism and issued a common voice to the outside world.
2、 The Joint Statement of the China Canada Summit mentioned that the two sides have formed preliminary joint arrangements on handling relevant economic and trade issues. Can you provide more information?
Answer: In order to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Canada, both sides have recently conducted multiple rounds of intensive consultations at various levels on economic and trade issues of their respective concern. Specific arrangements have been made to properly resolve economic and trade issues in areas such as electric vehicles, steel and aluminum products, rapeseed, and agricultural and aquatic products. In addition, both sides have reached a positive consensus on economic and trade issues such as increasing direct flights, improving the business environment, and agricultural product inspection and quarantine. This is not only an important step taken by both sides to address each other's economic and trade concerns, but also a new starting point for deepening economic and trade cooperation.
Next, both sides will continue to follow the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, jointly implement the hard won consultation results, accelerate the finalization of details, clarify the timetable, formulate action plans, accelerate the implementation of their respective domestic procedures, and promote the early implementation and effectiveness of relevant achievements. At the same time, we will fully utilize the mechanism of the China Canada Joint Economic and Trade Commission, continue to expand cooperation, solve problems, manage differences, and promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China Canada economic and trade relations.
3、 We have noticed that Canada stated in an interview with relevant media that it will make positive adjustments to the measures related to the export of Chinese electric vehicles to Canada. Can you provide more details?
Answer: The Chinese side has taken note of Canada's statement. In 2024, Canada will impose a 100% additional tax on Chinese electric vehicles, which will have a significant impact on China's exports of electric vehicles to Canada. According to the latest adjustment arrangement, Canada will provide China with an annual quota of 49000 electric vehicles, which will enjoy 6.1% most favored nation tariff treatment within the quota and no longer impose 100% additional tax. The quota quantity will increase year by year according to a certain proportion. The Chinese side believes that this is a positive step taken by Canada in the right direction, and it is also good news for China's electric vehicle development in the Canadian market. We hope that Canada will actively fulfill its commitments and continue to work in the same direction as China. Through friendly consultations, we aim to create a more fair, stable, and non discriminatory environment for further expanding trade and investment cooperation in electric vehicles between the two countries. We look forward to the industrial sectors of both countries seizing opportunities, strengthening connections, and achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
4、 Canada is concerned about the export of rapeseed, agricultural and aquatic products to China. It is understood that both sides have reached a preliminary consensus on adjusting anti-dumping measures for rapeseed. Can you introduce more information?
Answer: China and Canada have conducted multiple rounds of consultations in the spirit of cooperation, striving to compress the list of issues. Canada will make positive adjustments to unilateral measures taken against Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum products, as well as individual cases of Chinese companies investing and operating in Canada. Correspondingly, the Chinese side will adjust the anti-dumping measures on rapeseed and the anti discrimination measures taken against some agricultural and aquatic products of Canada in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. I believe these arrangements will play a positive role in deepening cooperation between China and Canada in related industries and enhancing the well-being of the people of both countries.