Canada is seeking to convert improving diplomatic and commercial relations with China into new business opportunities, using the ninth China International Import Expo as a platform to promote its companies and high-quality products. The country’s participation comes as businesses navigate greater uncertainty in global trade and as Ottawa and Beijing work to manage differences through formal consultations.
Lewis Greenspon, president of the Canada Exhibition and Trade Association, said the expo was important not only for displaying products but also for rebuilding the personal relationships needed to support long-term commercial agreements. Direct engagement between companies, traders and government representatives can help establish trust and provide a clearer understanding of market requirements.
Chinese consumers are demanding more information
Greenspon identified China as an important market for Canadian businesses, particularly because consumer expectations are changing. Buyers are increasingly looking beyond the simple purchase of imported goods and are placing greater emphasis on quality, product origin and traceability.
That shift creates opportunities for Canadian producers in the agri-food sector, where the ability to demonstrate how products are made and where they come from can be a competitive advantage. Canada is positioning its agricultural and food products as a match for these preferences, while the expo gives companies an opportunity to engage directly with potential customers and commercial partners.
| Area | Developments highlighted |
|---|---|
| Trade framework | A China-Canada economic and trade co-operation roadmap was signed in January 2026 |
| Trade restrictions | Both countries subsequently adjusted certain restrictions |
| Established sectors | Oil and gas, agricultural and seafood products, and consumer goods |
| Emerging sectors | New materials, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and smart agriculture |
A formal process for resolving differences
The latest commercial push follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China in January 2026. During that visit, the two countries signed the China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap and reached a preliminary joint arrangement aimed at addressing bilateral economic and trade issues.
The subsequent adjustment of some trade restrictions has created more favourable conditions for agricultural and seafood businesses, according to the information presented about the bilateral relationship. These changes are significant for companies that need predictable access to markets before committing capital, expanding production or establishing distribution arrangements.
At the 29th meeting of the China-Canada Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Beijing on 3 November, the two sides reaffirmed their intention to maintain co-operation in traditional industries while broadening the relationship into newer fields. It was the first meeting of the commission at ministerial level, giving the discussions added political weight.
From traditional exports to new industries
The sectors identified at the commission show that the relationship is not being framed solely around the movement of finished consumer goods. Oil and gas, agriculture, seafood and consumer products remain part of the established trade base, while advanced manufacturing, clean energy and smart agriculture point to an effort to build more technology-focused links.
For Canadian businesses, the commercial implications extend beyond securing individual orders at the expo. A stronger institutional relationship can assist companies seeking buyers, suppliers and investment partners, while improved contact between officials and industry can help address practical barriers affecting trade. The focus on traceability also means that exporters may need to demonstrate greater transparency across their supply chains as they compete for Chinese consumers.
- Agri-food exporters are among the businesses positioned to benefit from demand for quality and traceable products.
- Seafood companies are operating in a more favourable environment after adjustments to certain trade restrictions.
- Industrial businesses have potential openings in new materials, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and smart agriculture.
Canada’s status as one of the guest countries of honour at this year’s expo underlines the importance it places on the Chinese market. The event does not remove the differences between the two countries, but it provides a practical setting in which companies and officials can pursue commercial links while the wider relationship is managed through dialogue.
The immediate test will be whether meetings and commitments made around the expo develop into sustained transactions and investment. For now, Canada’s approach is to use renewed official engagement, changing market demand and a broader sectoral agenda to strengthen its position in China while global trade conditions remain unsettled.
