Saskatchewan sends trade minister on China mission

Warren Kaeding, trade and export development minister speaks at the 2025 Indigenous Business Gathering in Saskatoon, March 25, 2025 (John Flatters / CTV News)

Saskatchewan’s Trade and Export Development minister is leading a trade mission to China to promote the province’s strategic interests.

The province says Minister Warren Kaeding’s priority on the trip will be strengthening the relationship with companies that have resumed purchasing Saskatchewan canola, peas and beef products after the drawdown of the trade war between the two countries.

“We understand that ongoing dialogue with China underpins trust and understanding between our jurisdictions,” Kaeding said in a news release Monday.

“That’s why Saskatchewan has been present in China for close to two decades. As we continue to prioritize our relationship, I am excited to highlight the vital role we can play in supporting the country’s food and energy security.”

In addition to private companies, Saskatchewan’s delegation will meet with Chinese business leaders, post-secondary institutions and government officials.

Scheduled to run from May 30 until June 6, the meetings will take place in Beijing as well as in Jilin and Guangdong provinces.

Jilin became Saskatchewan’s sister province in 1984.

“Our government is proud to have Jilin as a sister province,” Kaeding said.

“This mission is a great opportunity to reignite our longstanding relationship and further explore the opportunities that exist between our two regions, for the benefit of citizens both in Saskatchewan and China.”

The Government of Saskatchewan operates a total of nine international trade and investment offices, including one in China, which are meant to bolster existing trade relationships and explore new markets.

“These offices help make the province more resilient to market risks such as tariffs and regulatory trade barriers,” the province said in its announcement.

Trade tensions between the two countries began in 2024 when Canada imposed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), following similar moves from the U.S. and other western states who accused China of unfairly subsidizing its EV industry.

Canada also implemented a 25 per cent tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum.

China retaliated with tariffs against several agricultural products, including 100 per cent tariffs on canola, peas and oilcakes in March 2025.

After a state visit to China in January 2026, Canada announced it would lower tariffs on up to 49,000 Chinese EVs per year from 100 per cent to 6.1 per cent.

In exchange, China agreed to suspend the 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian agricultural products until the end of 2026.

According to the provincial government, Saskatchewan exports 70 per cent of what it produces.

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