N.S. Fisheries minister optimistic about trade future with China

Nova Scotia’s Fisheries minister says China is a very important trading partner.

Kent Smith visited the country recently to attend a seafood expo and have meetings.

China is the province’s second-largest seafood market, over $600 million in seafood was exported to the country in 2024.

Smith says it was the first time in six years a provincial government member visited the region.

“The previous administration had somewhat of a frosty relationship with China, but the reality is that it’s such an important and vital market for us, that it was important for us to return,” said Smith after cabinet Thursday.

He noted industry representatives would love to be buying more seafood from Nova Scotia, but tariffs have got in the way of that.

However, Smith says there was optimism about the removal of tariffs and ‘recalibrating’ our relationship with the country.

“I know the leaders of the countries have been meeting on that. With the U.S. being our biggest seafood trading partner, our mandate is continuing to look for new markets and product and market diversification.”

Premier Tim Houston says the relationship between our country and China is improving.

“We’re being mindful of that, and we’re seeing what’s possible. It’s a big market, and we’re serious about it,” said Houston.