New Canadian agriculture minister to tackle China US trade issues

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Canadas new agriculture minister, Heath MacDonald, said in an interview on Thursday that tackling trade issues with China and the United States are his most pressing priorities.

The two-front trade war with the worlds largest economies has stressed out farmers in Canada, a major canola, wheat and pork exporter, and impacted spring planting plans.

MacDonald was sworn in on Tuesday and said trade issues are center stage after speaking with Canadas canola industry and provincial agriculture ministers.

Canada faces tariffs from China on Canadian canola meal and oil, as well as peas, pork and seafood products. It is also bracing for an anti-dumping ruling from China on Canadian canola seed exports.

About half of Canadas canola exports, also known as rapeseed, go to China.

Its front and center and it will be front and center from me towards the prime ministers office, MacDonald said of the Chinese situation.

Canadas agriculture industry is also affected by tariffs on some products from the Trump administration, such as steel and aluminum used in agricultural machinery. There is also a long-simmering dispute over Canadas dairy supply management system, which restricts imports and protects Canadian production.

MacDonald said he hoped to meet with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins as soon as possible and to work with American congressional representatives and agriculture officials from states that benefit from cross-border agricultural trade.

He reiterated Prime Minister Mark Carneys position that the Canadian supply management system is off the table in trade negotiations.

I think supply management is extremely important to Canada. Its certainly important to my home province and Ill do everything I can to ensure that it stays as is, said MacDonald.

MacDonald is from Prince Edward Island and was a member of the House of Commons agriculture committee. He was finance minister