November 2, 2026. Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, will be in China from Tuesday, November 3 to Friday, November 6 to expand trade and investment, the Canadian government announced today. In Beijing he will co-chair with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao the first ministerial-level meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission. In Shanghai he will attend the China International Import Expo (CIIE), where Canada is guest of honor.
The numbers behind the trip
According to Global Affairs Canada:
- Canadian merchandise exports to China rose 31.4 % in the first half of 2026, to CAD 21.5 billion. EFE puts that at about USD 15.4 billion.
- Ottawa's goal is to raise them 50 % by 2030.
- China is Canada's second-largest trading partner among individual countries. Two-way merchandise trade was CAD 125.7 billion in 2025: CAD 35 billion in exports and CAD 90.6 billion in imports.
- Priority sectors: agri-food and agriculture, energy, clean technology and consumer products.
Building on January's opening
The visit follows Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to Beijing in January 2026, his first official visit to China, when he and President Xi Jinping announced a new strategic partnership. "In January, I joined the Prime Minister as we unlocked a new trade arrangement with China," Sidhu said; according to the minister, the arrangement opened USD 7 billion in new opportunities for Canadian businesses. In Shanghai he will also meet officials, investors and companies.
What it means for other exporters
Our take: when a major North American economy sets a target to sell half as much again to China, it confirms that the Chinese market remains open to food, energy and consumer goods from the Americas.
- For food, start with market access: the Mexican embassy's January 2026 food export guide notes that incorrect labeling is a main cause of rejection. Our export to China service checks access and registration.
- Visit buyers in person with our business trips to China: agenda, interpreter and meetings.
- If you also buy from China, compare factories through our product sourcing service.
Sources
- Global Affairs Canada, "Minister Sidhu to advance Canada's trade and investment priorities during visit to China", 2 Nov 2026
- EFE via Vanguardia, "El ministro canadiense de Comercio viaja a China para aumentar 50% las exportaciones", 2 Nov 2026
- Embassy of Mexico in China, Food Export Guide, January 2026
