International Trade Minister concludes successful promotion of Canada’s forest industry during trade mission to China

China’s growing middle class represents one of the most dynamic and promising new sources of demand for Canada’s high-quality goods and services. We know that when we expand and diversify our export markets, it creates good, well-paying jobs and opportunities for middle-class Canadians.

Chinese wood products importers in Shanghai, one of the most populous cities in the world, told a Canadian trade mission led by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, that they were eager for greater government-to-government cooperation to facilitate their growing demand for Canada’s versatile and eco-friendly softwood lumber.

The six-day mission, which concluded yesterday, advanced an array of trade, educational, and investment opportunities with forestry front and centre. The delegation included industry representatives from the Quebec, New Brunswick, and British Columbia lumber sector...

Canada is in the early stages of exploratory discussions with China to determine whether there is sufficient interest and economic benefits to pursue formal negotiations for a free-trade agreement...

This was excerpted from 27 April 2017 news release by Global Affairs Canada.