Mr. Speaker, Canadian farmers are worried that an announcement by Beijing today means there is no deal to reduce tariffs on canola.
On January 16, the Prime Minister said that he was engaged in a “new strategic partnership” with the People's Republic of China. He stated, “By March 1...Canada expects that China will [reduce] tariffs on Canadian canola seed to a combined rate of approximately15%.” Today Reuters said that Beijing has delayed a decision on canola tariffs until March 9. No decision means no deal.
Why did the Prime Minister mislead Canadian farmers about having a deal to reduce canola tariffs for Canadian farmers?