Chinese canola import regulations solid until new deal is inked, says minister
SHANGHAI — Canada’s international trade minister says the rules governing shipments of Canadian canola to China will remain in place until both countries can reach a new agreement on acceptable import standards.
Chrystia Freeland, who is part of the delegation travelling with the prime minister in Shanghai, said today that the Liberal government is committed to reaching a new canola regime with China as soon as possible. In the meantime, however, she says the current rules will stand.
Before Justin Trudeau’s visit to the Communist nation, China had planned to enforce tighter regulations on the amount of foreign materials — such as weeds, other crops and detritus — permitted in canola exports from Canada.
But today’s deadline for the change was lifted earlier this week after Trudeau met in Beijing with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.