(Corrects name of Chinese foreign minister to Wang in paragraph 6)
OTTAWA (Reuters) -Senior Canadian and Chinese officials discussed bilateral trade disputes involving canola and electric vehicles on Friday, Ottawa said, but gave no indication of any immediate breakthrough.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing as part of an effort by both countries to improve relations, which have been poor for years.
China announced preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola imports in August, a year after Canada said it would slap a 100% tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles.
“The ministers discussed issues of respective sensitivity, such as agriculture and agri-food products, including canola, as well as seafood, meat and electric vehicles,” the Canadian foreign ministry said in a statement.
“(They) agreed that regular and candid communication is essential to build trust, enhance cooperation and address respective concerns.”
An official Chinese readout of the meeting said Wang had told Anand that Beijing was willing to work with Canada to restart dialogue and exchanges at all levels and to promote the resolution of each nation’s legitimate concerns.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday he expected to meet senior Chinese leaders soon but sidestepped a question about dropping tariffs on electric vehicles in exchange for relief from the canola duties.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa, Xiuhao Chen and Ryan Woo in Beijing and Katharine Jackson in Washington;Editing by Doina Chiacu and Nia Williams)
