How Canada’s Trump headache is fuelling a China trade boom

Exports to China hit their highest first-half level in decades as Ottawa looks to reduce dependence on its southern neighbour

Canada’s exports to China jumped by 30.1 per cent in the first half of 2026, led by crude oil, copper and other energy and mineral products, as Ottawa stepped up efforts to diversify trade ties amid growing tensions with its largest trading partner, the United States.

Exports to China reached C$21.74 billion (US$15.63 billion) over the period, marking the highest first-half value since 1997, according to a trade report released by the Canada China Business Council and the China Institute at the University of Alberta.

The report, published on Monday, showed that energy and mineral products drove much of the growth. Energy products accounted for 35.8 per cent of the shipments, surging 81.8 per cent from a year earlier. Metal ores and non-metallic minerals made up 22.6 per cent, with exports rising 29 per cent.