Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss Canada's agricultural trade interests and the challenges we face in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, we work closely with Global Affairs Canada and Finance Canada as well as other departments to support farmers and food processors. Together our goal is to ensure the products our agricultural sector produces can succeed in international markets. Canada is, at its core, a trading nation and a major supplier of food globally. In 2024, Canada's agri-food and seafood exports were valued at over $100 billion. More than half of our production is exported, which means stable, predictable market access is vital for farmers, ranchers, and processors across the country.
The trading environment, however, has become more uncertain. Unilateral tariff measures—particularly from our two largest markets, the United States and China—have disrupted supply chains. Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East have further increased volatility in global food and commodity markets.
Since March 2025, China has imposed 100% tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal, and peas, as well as 25% on certain seafood and pork products. In addition, China is applying 75.8% duties on imports of Canadian canola seed as of August 14.
Unilateral tariff actions are also reshaping the trade environment. While CUSMA compliance provides important protections for the majority of agri-food trade, these actions are creating uncertainty. The upcoming CUSMA review in 2026 will be a critical opportunity to promote and to defend Canada's interests. AAFC will continue working with Global Affairs Canada to ensure farmers' voices are heard as part of the upcoming consultation process.
Given today's uncertainty, diversification is essential. Canada is expanding its presence in high-growth regions such as the Indo-Pacific, Latin America and north Africa. The new Indo-Pacific agriculture and agri-food office is already helping exporters navigate complex markets and build stronger relationships. Canada now benefits from 15 free trade agreements covering 51 countries. We're pursuing additional opportunities through ASEAN negotiations, CPTPP expansion and exploratory discussions with partners like the Philippines and Mercosur.
At the same time, our leadership in multilateral institutions, including the WTO, remains critical to defend rules-based trade and to push for the removal of unjustified barriers.
In closing, Canada's farmers and food processors are among the most resilient and innovative in the world, but to continue to thrive, they need stable rules and reliable access to markets so that they can plan, invest and grow with confidence. There's been steady and ongoing engagement with stakeholders, including at the highest official and political levels, following recent developments.
As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in advocating for fair and predictable market access. Ensuring that Canadian exporters can compete on a level playing field is essential, not only for the strength of our agricultural sector but also for the health of our entire economy.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. My colleague Christine Moran and I, as well as officials from Global Affairs and the Department of Finance, will be pleased to respond to any questions members may have.