Two of Saskatchewan’s Ministers have written a letter to their federal counterparts about their concern that China has announced an anti-dumping investigation on Canadian canola, just days after Canada announced 100 per cent tariffs on electric vehicles from China. Minister of Trade and Export Development, Jeremy Harrison, and Agriculture Minister, David Marit, point out that in response to the Government of Canada’s recent consultation, they cautioned that Saskatchewan’s producers had to bear the brunt of Chinese retaliation in the past. In 2018 and ’19, because of a trade dispute, Saskatchewan’s canola seed sales to China were down $1 billion during that time period and across Canada, by $2 billion.

Harrison and Marit also noted that Canada’s top exports to China are goods produced in Saskatchewan. Last year, this province’s total merchandise exports to China were $5.5 billion, with the top three being canola seeds, potash and peas. The Ministers say in the letter that they are disappointed that once again Saskatchewan will be negatively impacted by Chinese retaliation and they encourage the federal government to resolve the issue quickly, with Saskatchewan Minister and officials being participants in these efforts.