China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said Canada could double its exports to China during a rare visit to Ottawa this week, according to statements released by both governments. The comment came as Wang met with Canadian officials on May 28, marking the highest-level Chinese ministerial visit to Canada in years amid strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Canada exported approximately CAD 32 billion in goods to China in 2024, making China its second-largest trading partner after the United States. Doubling that figure would push annual exports to roughly CAD 64 billion, though neither government specified a timeline for reaching that target or detailed which sectors would drive the growth.
Wang's visit follows years of tension that began with Canada's 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States. China responded by detaining two Canadian citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were released in 2021 after Meng's extradition case was resolved. Trade relations have remained cool since then, with China imposing restrictions on Canadian canola, beef, and pork at various points.
"There is significant potential to expand trade and economic cooperation between our two countries," Wang said during meetings with Canadian counterparts, as reported by Reuters.