The second largest port in Canada has announced a notable increase in shipments to China during the first half of 2025. According to a press release, shipments to China have risen by 22% compared to the same period last year.

This increase has propelled China to become the portS second-largest trading partner, a significant jump from its fifth-place ranking in 2024.

The port of Montreal attributes this surge, which contributes to a 4% overall increase in container traffic, largely to the ongoing trade war initiated by former US President Donald Trump, impacting both Canada and China.

The rise in shipments to China comes despite existing trade tensions between Canada and China. These tensions include Beijing’s imposition of customs duties on Canadian agricultural products like canola and pork in March. These duties were a response to Canada’s 100% surcharge on imports of Chinese electric vehicles implemented the previous year.

Statistics Canada reports that Canadian exports to the United States experienced a nearly 16% drop from March to April, primarily due to customs duties, even though the majority of Canadian exports to the US remain exempt.

“this increase…is largely attributable to the trade war of US President Donald Trump, who touched Canada and China.”

Understanding the trade Dynamics

The shifting trade landscape highlights the complex relationships between global economies. while the US-China trade war has inadvertently benefited some Canadian sectors, retaliatory measures between canada and China demonstrate the fragility of international trade agreements.

The increase in shipments through the port of Montreal underscores the importance of Canada’s trade diversification efforts, even as trade relations with its largest partner, the United States, face challenges.