Statement by Dennis Darby, President and CEO, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters on Canada’s New Strategic Partnership with China

TORONTO, January 19, 2026 – “Canada’s recent trade agreement with China is a noteworthy development in our country’s international economic engagement. From the perspective of Canadian manufacturers, it is important to acknowledge that China continues to account for a small share of our manufactured goods exports. This underscores the limitation of this agreement in terms of expanding market access for Canadian-manufactured products.

At the same time, Canada must remain vigilant and continue to refine its approach to unfair trade practices, including state-supported manufacturing overcapacity and other policies emanating from China that can distort markets and undermine Canadian manufacturers and their workers. Ensuring a rules-based, reciprocal trading environment is essential for long-term competitiveness. We are concerned that the new electric vehicle quotas for highly subsidized Chinese vehicles may undermine Canada’s automotive supply chains.

As Canada manages the ongoing trade dispute with the United States, efforts to diversify Canada’s export markets must be matched with a robust domestic policy agenda. That includes strengthening the defence industrial base, accelerating the development of major infrastructure projects and increasing housing supply to offset some of the pressures on manufacturing exports.

Our members will monitor how this agreement is implemented and will engage with the government to ensure that Canadian manufacturers can compete and succeed in Canada and across global markets.”