Pakistan has signaled it is prepared to import Canadian canola as Ottawa seeks to diversify markets for the commodity following trade tensions with China.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone call with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand, in which he affirmed the strength of ties between Pakistan and Canada and stressed 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 commodity,” 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 percent tariff on Chinese electric cars.
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 Minister for Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, and Canada’s Minister for International Trade, Maninder Sidhu. The agreement, the statement noted, reflects the commitment of both countries to promote a stable and transparent environment for foreign investment.
Canada is strengthening and diversifying its trade relations.
As we continue negotiations on a Foreign Investment and Promotion Agreement with Pakistan, our governments have agreed to facilitate Canadian canola exports – a win-win deal.
— Rob Oliphant (@Rob_Oliphant) 3 November 2025
Both sides expressed interest in strengthening cooperation 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 forward to the sixth round of Pakistan-Canada bilateral consultations, which will serve as a platform to promote shared priorities, strengthen government-to-government and private sector relations and explore new areas of strategic partnership.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anand shared the joint statement at X, while Canadian MP Rob Oliphant said Ottawa was “strengthening and diversifying” its trade ties.
Canadian MP Shafqat Ali also welcomed the announcement, noting that the two countries are “strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including renewed trade in Canadian canola”.
Earlier, the State Department said both leaders had appreciated the recent constructive engagements and reaffirmed their commitment to promote mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
After the announcement, Anand said she had spoken with the Canola Council of Canada and noted that “our diplomatic efforts had resulted in Pakistan’s decision to lift restrictions on Canadian canola imports.”
“This decision re-establishes a significant market for Canadian canola producers,” she wrote on X, adding that “as Pakistan expedites regulatory approvals for Canadian canola, import orders have already been placed.”
