Officials say Canada unlikely to get Chinese tariffs dropped but can expect progress

OTTAWA — Federal officials briefing reporters ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China say there might be relief coming soon on Chinese tariffs, but not a total end to the dispute with Beijing.

Carney is scheduled to leave Tuesday for a three-day visit to Beijing — the first by a sitting prime minister in more than eight years.

Over the last two years, Canada has imposed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and a 25 per cent import tax on Chinese steel and aluminum.

China responded by hitting Canada with a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil in March, followed by a levy of almost 76 per cent on canola seed in August.