Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending Canada’s newly announced trade agreement with China, saying Beijing has become a more predictable economic partner than the United States. Speaking in Beijing after unveiling the pact, Carney described the agreement as “preliminary but landmark,” arguing it reflects current global realities and provides stability for key Canadian export sectors.
The deal allows up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles to enter the Canadian market under a tariff-quota system, while China is expected to cut duties on Canadian canola seed to 15 per cent by March. Under the agreement, Beijing will also remove tariffs on Canadian canola meal, lobster, crab and peas from March through at least the end of 2026, offering relief to agricultural producers who have faced trade barriers in recent years. Carney said China’s willingness to set clear terms and timelines stood in contrast to uncertainty in Canada’s trade relationship with Washington, calling China a “more predictable” partner at this moment.
The deal has drawn mixed reactions from provincial leaders. Ontario Premier Doug Ford sharply criticized the EV provisions, warning they give China a foothold in Canada’s auto market that could come “at the expense of Canadian workers.” He has argued the agreement risks undermining domestic manufacturing and access to the U.S. market.
By contrast, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe welcomed the pact, calling it a “positive step forward” that arrived sooner than expected and offers important support for prairie farmers. Carney later fielded questions on the deal’s implications for Canada’s auto sector, food exports and national security, as Ottawa navigates a recalibration of its economic relationship with China amid shifting global trade dynamics.
