Nova Scotia’s Fisheries Minister Rebuilds Ties with China NOW

UPDATE: Nova Scotia is taking urgent steps to rebuild its relationship with China, as Fisheries Minister Kent Smith returns from a pivotal trade mission. This comes on the heels of a significant shift in dynamics between Canada and China, creating a window for renewed engagement with the province’s second-largest trading partner.

Minister Smith recently wrapped up a 10-day trade mission to China, highlighted by attendance at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo in Qingdao. This marks the first official visit from Nova Scotia representatives to China in six years. Premier Tim Houston confirmed that the federal government encouraged the provincial delegation to establish closer ties. “It made sense to revisit things while the federal government is doing the same,” Houston stated after a cabinet meeting.

In 2024, Nova Scotia’s seafood exports to China were valued at $615 million, with lobster being the primary product. However, relations have soured recently, particularly following China imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian seafood last March, a retaliatory measure against Canadian tariffs on Chinese goods. The impact has been staggering, causing an estimated loss of $77 million for the Nova Scotia seafood sector this spring and summer.

At the expo, Smith encountered numerous importers expressing a desire to buy more Nova Scotia seafood, but the tariffs remain a significant barrier. “The importers I met at the show all said the same thing: that they would love to be buying more seafood from Nova Scotia,” Smith remarked, emphasizing the urgent need to address these trade impediments.

Despite the current challenges, Smith conveyed a strong sense of optimism following discussions at the expo. His visit coincided with high-level meetings between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Xi Jinping, during which both leaders expressed intentions to mend and enhance bilateral relations. “Once that meeting took place and both leaders gave direction to work on fixing tariffs, that changed the narrative quite a bit,” Smith added.

Eight Nova Scotia companies participated in the seafood expo, including renowned names like Clearwater Seafoods and Louisbourg Seafoods. Smith underscored the importance of the trip for supporting local businesses in a crucial market. “It’s such a large market and it’s such an important market for us that we knew that it was vital for us to return,” he stated.

The Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance, Chris Vascotto, hailed Smith’s trip as “excellent news” for the industry, reinforcing solidarity amid trade disputes. “It helped bolster our market position, it demonstrated that we’re still there and we’re going to be there for a while. So really I view this as setting the foundation for a positive future,” Vascotto said.

As Nova Scotia moves to recalibrate its relationship with China, officials are keen to act swiftly. Smith has expressed a desire to return to China, and Houston has not ruled out future visits either.

The next steps will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Nova Scotia’s seafood sector. With significant market potential at stake, all eyes will be on how the provincial government navigates these complex international waters in the coming months.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.