Amid shifting global trade dynamics, Canadian businesses leverage CIIE to deepen their presence in China

Amid growing uncertainties in global trade, China-Canada economic and trade cooperation has demonstrated renewed vitality and resilience. At the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), Lewis Greenspon, president of the Canada Exhibition and Trade Association (CETA), told People's Daily Online that the expo serves as an important platform for strengthening economic and trade ties between Canada and China, creating tangible business opportunities while fostering mutual trust through face-to-face exchanges and laying the groundwork for long-term cooperation.

As one of the guest countries of honor at this year's CIIE, Canada has once again taken part in the major international trade event. Greenspon highlighted the importance of the Chinese market to Canadian businesses, noting that Chinese consumers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and no longer satisfied simply with purchasing imported products. Instead, they are paying greater attention to product quality, origins and traceability.

This growing demand aligns well with the strengths of Canada's high-quality agri-food products, opening up further opportunities for Canadian businesses in China.

In recent years, China and Canada have sought to address trade differences through dialogue and consultations while exploring new areas of cooperation. During Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China in January 2026, the two sides signed the China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap and reached a preliminary joint arrangement on addressing bilateral economic and trade issues.

Both sides subsequently adjusted certain trade restrictions, creating more favorable conditions for cooperation in agricultural and seafood products.

On Nov. 3, the two countries held the 29th meeting of the China-Canada Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Beijing, the first at the ministerial level. Both sides expressed their commitment to consolidating cooperation in traditional sectors, including oil and gas, agricultural and seafood products, and consumer goods, while expanding collaboration in emerging areas such as new materials, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and smart agriculture.

The CIIE provides a practical platform for translating such opportunities into tangible business results.

According to Greenspon, figures from CETA show that agri-food exhibitors at the association's pavilion recorded more than 1.2 million Canadian dollars in on-site sales and signed contracts worth 9.2 million Canadian dollars during the 2025 CIIE.

This year, CETA and the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai have jointly organized an expanded presence in the Food and Agricultural Products Exhibition Area, covering more than 500 square meters, with nearly 60 Canadian companies registered to participate. The expanded exhibition presence offers more Canadian businesses opportunities to connect with Chinese buyers and distributors and develop long-term commercial partnerships.

Greenspon emphasized that the value of the CIIE extends far beyond its six-day duration. Amid trade uncertainties, sustained face-to-face engagement and genuine business connections are particularly important for building lasting trust.

From product showcases and contract signings to enduring business partnerships, the CIIE has become an important bridge for Canadian and Chinese companies to strengthen mutual understanding and deepen cooperation.

From policy-level dialogue to practical business collaboration, China-Canada economic and trade relations are showing fresh potential. Even as global trade faces complex and shifting conditions, continued dialogue, efforts to narrow differences and closer cooperation on shared strengths could put bilateral ties on steadier footing.