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REGINA — The approach to dealing with existing tariffs from three different countries was discussed with the Federal and Provincial Agriculture Ministers during Agribition.
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Heath McDonald and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison talked to reporters following the burning of the brand Monday.
It was pointed out that when Harrison took on the Ag portfolio last year, there was only the possibility of tariffs from the U.S. and China. A year later, they're in effect on various Canadian products. But Harrison believes the needle is moving in the right direction, especially when it comes to China.
"I think now that the Prime Minister is directly engaged in that and that's what we need and hopefully we'll get some movement on that very soon." Harrison added.
McDonald says he is also involved in resolving the trade dispute with China. Examples include an upcoming meeting with canola groups in Ottawa on Thursday and noted most his most recent trip to China, where he met with government and business leaders.
He recalled after the meeting, asking Ambassador Jennifer May what she thought of the meeting, which she replied she had never seen such an open conversation compared to the usual "very structured" type of conversation with the Chinese.
"They're very tight-lipped. I think it's part of their strategy but I can tell you we had an open conversation." McDonald said.
He cautioned, however, that a delicate balance needs to be achieved in order to restore trade relationships with China, India, and the U.S. as one decision could affect the other trade relationships.
"We're in a geopolitical war with basically three countries in that front so we want to make sure that whatever decision that we make is not going to affect any other sector or any other country, so we just want to make sure that we're going to, but I think we're going to get through the impasse on this and we'll come out the other end as good as we ever were." McDonald said.
McDonald is optimistic that the tariffs from China will be gone before the 2026 harvest.
He is also optimistic in resumed trade talks with India and the opportunity that brings to lift the current 30 per cent duty on all yellow pea imports, including those from Canada.
"Communication is key. I think you just…got to pick the phone up, you got to go to through the meeting door. You got to talk to these people. I mean they're human beings, they want the best for their country just like we do. We just have to ensure that our voice is being heard."
McDonald also said Saskatchewan can play a significant role in those trade negotiations with India, at a time when the current geo-political landscape calls for an "all hands on deck" approach.
