Ottawa to ship MP with Sask. Premier Scott Moe on China commerce journey

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe could have some firm when he travels to China this weekend as Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced his parliamentary secretary will be a part of the commerce delegation. 

Kody Blois, MP for Kings-Hants, Nova Scotia, will spend three days in China as Moe makes an attempt to bridge a divide that has led China to announce punishing tariffs on canola, based on a information launch from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The resolution indicators a partnership between the Saskatchewan and federal governments, Moe stated at a press convention in Saskatoon on Thursday.

“Thank you to Prime Minister Carney for prioritizing this mission and ensuring that we are working together,” Moe stated. 

WATCH | Saskatchewan premier, PM’s parliamentary secretary to guide commerce mission in China:

Saskatchewan Premier, PM’s Parliamentary Secretary to guide commerce mission in China|1400|MVS

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is main a commerce mission to China this weekend. He’ll be joined by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. The journey comes simply weeks after China slapped a 75 per cent tariff on Canadian canola. Saskatchewan is the most important producer of canola on the earth. The CBC’s Marina von Stackelberg joins us from Ottawa on this story.

Saskatchewan’s premier stated they’ll meet with Chinese authorities officers and trade stakeholders that shall be impacted by the tariffs. 

Last month, China introduced a 75.8 per cent preliminary obligation on Canadian canola seed after an anti-dumping investigation it started final 12 months.

China claims the “dumping” of Canadian canola into the Chinese market is hurting its home canola oil market.

The investigation — and the 100 per cent tariff levied on Canadian canola oil and meal in March — are broadly understood to be in response to Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electrical autos.

Canola is one in all Saskatchewan and Canada’s most respected crops. In 2024, canola seed manufacturing within the nation generated about $12.9 billion in farm money receipts, which represents sale earnings and funds that assist or subsidize the agriculture sector.

Additional measures to be introduced

The federal authorities has been comparatively quiet in response to the Chinese tariffs solely issuing a press release in August.

Thursday’s announcement that Blois will accompany Moe did promise a change in tone. 

“The government will announce additional measures in support of Canadian producers shortly,” based on the assertion by the Prime Minister’s Office. 

It’s unclear what these measures will seem like. 

Moe stated the top to this commerce dispute must be reached by Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“What we are making every effort to do is to bring the opportunity for that conversation of a closer trading relationship between Canada, specifically Saskatchewan agriculture and China, to pull that meeting forward and to bring those conversations forward,” Moe stated. 

Blois directed all interview requests to the Prime Minister’s Office, which declined to remark. 

Saskatchewan’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, Warren Keating, will perform a parallel commerce mission to South Korea whereas Moe is in China.

Keating and Moe will then spend the ultimate days of the six-day lengthy journey in Japan to broaden the marketplace for a variety of Saskatchewan merchandise. 

The upcoming commerce mission would be the first time in six years {that a} Canadian premier has led a commerce mission to China.