Canada and China Establish 30-Day Visa-Free Travel and Revise Trade Tariffs in Landmark Agreement

Canadian citizens are set to benefit from a major easing of travel restrictions to the People's Republic of China, marking a significant shift in international relations. A new agreement establishes a 30-day visa-free entry policy, which is scheduled to remain in effect until at least the end of 2026. This diplomatic breakthrough followed a high-stakes mission by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Beijing, where he engaged in high-level discussions with Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping. The initiative aims to revitalize person-to-person exchanges and mend bilateral relations that have faced significant strain and diplomatic cooling in recent years.

This streamlined entry process is specifically designed for short-term visits, covering tourism, business engagements, family reunions, and transit purposes. By securing this status, Canada joins an exclusive group of nations enjoying such preferential access, signaling a notable thaw in the diplomatic atmosphere between the two countries. Major Canadian urban centers, including Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, are anticipating a substantial boost to their tourism sectors as a direct result of this policy shift, hoping to see a return of international travelers and business delegations.

The mobility agreement is a cornerstone of a more comprehensive economic package intended to dismantle trade barriers that emerged after Canada imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum in 2024. In a retaliatory move, China had previously spiked import costs for Canadian rapeseed oil and meal, rendering these products largely uncompetitive in the local market. Furthermore, Beijing had initiated an anti-dumping investigation into canola seeds, which effectively froze exports and forced Canadian farmers to scramble for alternative international markets to avoid total financial loss.

Under the terms of the newly negotiated settlement, Beijing has committed to slashing the import duty on Canadian canola to approximately 15% by March 1. This represents a dramatic reduction from previous rates that had soared as high as 84% during the peak of the trade dispute. This tariff relief is expected to remain operational through at least the conclusion of the current calendar year, providing much-needed stability and predictability for the agricultural sector and the thousands of families it supports.

In addition to the canola concessions, the two nations agreed to suspend elevated duties on Canadian canola meal, as well as other key exports such as peas, lobsters, and crabs, starting in March and lasting until year-end. These measures are poised to restore Canadian canola's presence in a Chinese market valued at roughly 4 billion Canadian dollars for the nation's economy. Reciprocally, Canada has agreed to permit the importation of up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at a preferential tariff rate of 6.1%, a sharp decrease from the previous 100% levy that had been implemented to protect domestic manufacturing.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inaugural official visit to China commenced on January 14, 2026, and concluded on January 17 after a series of intensive meetings with top Chinese officials, ranging from Premier Li Qiang to President Xi Jinping. During his four-day stay in Beijing, Carney characterized the agreement as both "landmark" and "historic," noting that it unlocks export opportunities worth nearly 3 billion dollars for Canada’s agricultural and fishing industries. This visit, the first by a Canadian head of government in eight years, resulted in the signing of eight memorandums of understanding covering energy, tourism, and trade, effectively laying the groundwork for what both sides are calling a "new era" in bilateral relations.

Chinese state media outlets have interpreted this diplomatic pivot as a clear sign of Ottawa’s pursuit of "strategic autonomy" in its foreign policy decisions. Beyond governmental talks, Mark Carney also held strategic meetings with executives from major industrial players, including Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. and China National Petroleum Corp. These discussions focused on deepening cooperation within the energy and investment sectors, further cementing the economic ties between the two global powers and exploring future joint ventures in sustainable technology and resource management.