Pulse Canada Vice Chair Shane Strydhorst, President Greg Cherewyk, Carl Potts, Executive Director of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and Quinton Stewart of Bunge and the Pulse Canada/Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Trade Association joined a Canadian delegation participating in the Canada China Business Council’s 2025 Agri-Food Mission to Beijing and Shanghai. While Canadian peas continue to face tariff pressures in China, this mission provided a timely opportunity to reinforce growers’ priorities with government officials, industry associations and leading fractionators.
A Stronger Bilateral Climate
Over the past several months, Canada and China have made visible efforts to rebuild their bilateral relationship, and that shift was evident throughout the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) Forum, AGM and Gala. Both Canadian and Chinese officials spoke more positively than they have in years, setting a clearer stage for engagement. While the 100 percent tariff on Canadian peas remains in place, the diplomatic climate for dispute-resolution discussions has materially improved.
Advancing Grower Priorities
In Beijing, Pulse Canada met one-on-one with Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald to provide an update on the impact tariffs are having on the pea sector and to discuss the path forward. Pulse Canada President Greg Cherewyk then participated in a panel discussion at the CCBC Forum, highlighting the sector’s work in the region and plans for increased growth. The delegation also participated in official meetings in Beijing, held one-on-one discussions with Chinese government agencies including CFNA, met with fractionators in Zhaoyuan, engaged with local buyers and took part in programming at the China International Import Expo (CIIE). These engagements strengthened the visibility of Canadian pulses and allowed us to reinforce the importance of prioritizing a solution to the tariff issue in upcoming negotiations.
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