Pakistan has expressed its willingness to import Canadian canola, as Ottawa seeks to diversify markets for this product following trade tensions with China.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone call with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand, reaffirming the strength of ties between Pakistan and Canada and underlining the need to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
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“Pakistan and Canada agreed to facilitate the export of Canadian canola to Pakistan, recognizing the significant potential of Pakistan’s expanding market for this Canadian product,” the statement added.
The development comes as Canada looks to expand canola exports after Beijing announced preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian imports in August, a year after Ottawa imposed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles.
Dar and Anand also welcomed the successful conclusion of the first round of negotiations towards a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), led by Pakistan’s Federal Investment Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. The agreement, the statement notes, reflects the commitment of both countries to foster a stable and transparent environment for foreign investment.
Canada is strengthening and diversifying its trade relations.
As we continue negotiations towards a Foreign Investment and Promotion Agreement with Pakistan, our governments have agreed to facilitate Canadian canola exports, a mutually beneficial agreement.
– Rob Oliphant (@Rob_Oliphant) November 3, 2025
Both sides expressed interest in strengthening collaboration on energy security and critical minerals, with Dar highlighting opportunities for Canadian companies to support Pakistan’s clean energy transition and mineral development initiatives.
The ministers also looked ahead to the sixth round of Pakistan-Canada Bilateral Consultations, which will serve as a platform to promote shared priorities, enhance ties between governments and the private sector, and explore new areas of strategic partnership.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anand shared the joint statement on X, while Canadian MP Rob Oliphant said Ottawa was “strengthening and diversifying” its trade relationships.
Canadian MP Shafqat Ali also welcomed the announcement, noting that the two countries were “strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including the renewed Canadian canola trade.”
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said both leaders had appreciated the recent constructive engagements and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
Following the announcement, Anand said he had spoken to the Canola Council of Canada, noting that “our diplomatic efforts resulted in Pakistan’s decision to lift restrictions on imports of Canadian canola.”
“This decision re-establishes an important market for Canadian canola producers,” he wrote in X, adding that “as Pakistan accelerates regulatory approvals for Canadian canola, import orders have already been placed.”
