Liberal MP Kody Blois says to expect more ministers visiting China, after canola trip

Liberal MP Kody Blois says to expect more high-level visits to China, as Canada tries working out a trade spat targeting Canadian canola.

Blois is the parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney, and he joined Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe on a visit to China earlier this month to advocate for Beijing to drop its tariffs on Canadian canola.

China imposed significant tariffs on Canadian canola this year following Ottawa's move to match U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Blois says during the four-day trip, he and Moe visited Chinese officials in the country's trade, foreign-affairs and customs departments.

He says there were positive meetings that provided "an opportunity for re-engagement," while speaking today at an unrelated news conference in Wolfville, N.S.

He says the visit could lead to more dialogue, specifically more federal ministers visiting China to engage with their counterparts.