Glacier FarmMedia – Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe has just barely returned from China and is now on his way to Ottawa.
Standing in the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport on Monday morning, he spoke about his recent trip to China, implications of the electric vehicle (EV) tariffs, and the “new world order” of global trade and his upcoming discussions in Ottawa.
Opportunity to move forward
While abroad, Kody Blois, parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, and the premier had meetings with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), which is responsible for the canola and pulse tariffs.
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“There is a real opportunity for us to move forward in engagement with a number of different organizations and government agencies in China,” said Moe.
“To recalibrate the trade relationship that we have, not to look back, but to look forward in that recalibration and to move forward in a pragmatic and constructive way.”
He hopes that this path will offer good opportunity for the Canadian agricultural community, as well as for the importers of trade partners.
“Look for signals”
As the discussion on canola and other tariffs continues, Moe tells producers and others in the ag industry to “look for signals” of progress.
“Look for signals on both sides that we are finding our way to, ultimately, a conversation between our prime minister and the president of China in finding a path forward on market access for some of our products, and likely market access for some of their products as well.”
Some signals have already been seen, such as Moe and Blois opening discussions in China and the reactivation of the Joint Economic Trade Commission by Prime Minister Carney after six dormant years.
Other signals include Li Chenggang, Chinese vice-minister of commerce, engaging in trade discussions in Ottawa and the review of the EV mandate.
No immediate changes
Moe promised to continue to work alongside the federal government to represent Saskatchewan and Canada’s agriculture interests and to engage in discussions at any level he can.
He said that in all trade discussions, “we need to represent Canada boldly and without apology.”
The premier’s trip to China is a stepping stone in negotiations to come between Canada and China at the federal level, and there will be additional steps. Moe hopes those steps will be taken with federal ministers engaging at the upcoming G20 summit this fall or the APEC summit.
Moe and Blois’ trip didn’t bring about any actionable or immediate changes, but the engagement with China is a promising move in the right direction. The tone of the meetings and discussions were “more positive” than Moe expected, seeming to provide a confirmation that China is indeed interested in negotiating, which was previously unclear.
The premier’s word to producers is to continue doing what they do best, while governments do what they can.
