Canada’s trade minister to visit China for talks
Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s minister of international trade, announced he will be in China from Nov. 3 to 6, 2026, to advance Canada’s work to diversify trade partnerships, create jobs and support Canadian businesses abroad.
Global Affairs Canada said the visit will build on progress made during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing in January 2026 and support Canada’s efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with China. The department said China is Canada’s second-largest single-country merchandise trading partner.
Two-way merchandise trade was worth $125.7 billion in 2025, according to Global Affairs Canada. Canadian merchandise exports to China were valued at $35.0 billion, and merchandise imports were $90.6 billion. The department said China is an important trading partner for consumer products, natural health products, sportswear, and food and beverages, and that Canada values its role as an important and reliable supplier of high-quality products to the Chinese market.
In Beijing, Sidhu will co-lead the Joint Economic and Trade Commission meeting with China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao. Global Affairs Canada said the meeting, held at the ministerial level for the first time, will give Canada and China an opportunity to discuss bilateral trade issues, advance areas of mutual economic interest and deepen cooperation that supports a stable and predictable trading relationship.
In Shanghai, Sidhu will meet with government officials, investors and businesses, including at the China International Import Expo. The department described the expo as one of the world’s largest trade and investment events and said Canada is the Guest Country of Honour. Sidhu will highlight Canada’s strengths and explore opportunities to expand commercial cooperation in priority sectors, including agri-food and agriculture, energy, clean technology and consumer products.
Sidhu said that in January he joined Carney as they unlocked a new trade arrangement with China, Canada’s second-largest single-country trading partner, “unlocking $7 billion of new opportunities for Canadian businesses.” He said merchandise exports to China grew by 31.4% to $21.5 billion in the first half of this year. He said he will build on that progress at the commission and the expo, working to grow exports to China by 50% by 2030.
Global Affairs Canada said Carney’s first official visit to China in January 2026 marked a turning point in the Canada-China relationship. Carney and President Xi Jinping announced a new strategic partnership that builds on productive engagements undertaken to advance cooperation and revitalize the trade partnership, the department said.