Trade show highlights China-Canada business ties

The expanding 2026 Toronto Trade Show highlighted renewed momentum in China-Canada business ties, as organizers, officials and exhibitors pointed to growing interest among Chinese companies seeking opportunities in the Canadian market.

Held in Toronto over the weekend, the event brought together more than 100 exhibitors from sectors ranging from artificial intelligence and healthcare to manufacturing and green technology.

"This year, for the second edition, I feel full of confidence," said Lena Xu, president of the Canada-China Enterprise Overseas Service Center and the event's organizer.

Xu told China Daily that the inaugural event last year faced pressure as organizers worked to establish the platform, but this year's exhibition expanded significantly in size and participation.

"We started recruiting exhibitors earlier, and our whole system is now AI-powered," she said, adding that companies were able to register and participate more efficiently through the platform.

According to Xu, about 80 percent of exhibitors came from China, while participants also arrived from Mexico, the United States and South America.

"The variety of exhibitors is much richer this year," she said.

Xu described the event as more than a temporary exhibition.

"It's not a one-time trade show," she said. "It's a long-term bridge for cooperation."

She said the platform aims to connect China and Canada in trade, tourism, education and cultural exchange while helping Chinese companies establish themselves in Canada.

Xu also linked the stronger turnout this year to improving China-Canada relations.

"The warming of China-Canada relations has certainly promoted many Chinese enterprises going abroad," she said.

She added that improved visa conditions and policy support had made overseas expansion easier for Chinese businesses.

"Prime Minister Carney's visit to China also brought back many positive results," Xu said, referring to Canadian PM Mark Carney.

Chinese officials attending the event also emphasized the economic potential between the countries.

Cheng Hongbo, deputy consul general of China in Toronto, said the strong presence of Chinese exhibitors demonstrated the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing and brands.

"We are glad to see that in recent years more and more Chinese products have found their way into Canadian households," Cheng said.

He described the trade show as "a very important platform" for strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the countries.

"China and Canada, although separated by vast oceans, are highly complementary economically," Cheng said. "There are very broad opportunities for our cooperation."

He also pointed to China's large consumer market and Canada's push to diversify its foreign economic ties.

"I think China is the best partner for Canada to diversify its foreign economic relations for economic resilience," he said.

For many businesses attending the exhibition, however, entering North America also requires adapting to a very different commercial environment.

Chen Kai, who advises Chinese companies entering the Canadian and North American markets, said many firms initially approach overseas expansion with a domestic sales mindset.

"Most Chinese companies come with a sales mentality," Chen told China Daily. "But North America is more about the chain of responsibility."

He said companies must adapt to stricter expectations involving consumers, distributors and supply chains.

"The supply chain is actually a responsibility chain," he said. "Chinese manufacturers need to think more about responsibility rather than just finding agents or focusing only on sales."

Chen said many Chinese firms remain heavily focused on the United States, but often underestimate the complexity of the North American market.

"People who really understand North America know the US is not a unified market," he said, noting that regulations can vary widely between states and cities.

"Canada is relatively easier," Chen added. "Entering the Canadian market is one of the best first choices for Chinese companies entering North America."

He said Toronto's large Chinese business community and service sector also provide strong support for newcomers from China.

The trade show also attracted Canadian and European entrepreneurs seeking closer cooperation with China.

Matteo Merla, whose business imports fast-growing trees from Germany and plants them in Canada for lumber production, said China remains an important long-term market for his business during his second time attending the trade show.

"We're growing the fastest tree in the world, 18 meters in six years," Merla said. "We now have 15,000 trees planted in Dunnville, Ontario."

Merla said his company was seeking investors and partners to help expand the business.

"We believe in nature, we believe in resources," he said.

Having worked with Chinese partners for years, Merla described his experience with the Chinese market positively.

"They're very reliable. They know what they want," he said.

Merla said China's demand for lumber products makes cooperation especially important for his business.

"I think this tree, specifically in the lumber industry, having a resource for China, is very important," he said.

He also expressed support for stronger China-Canada cooperation.

"I hope they stick together," Merla said. "Going a different way without working with China is a big mistake for everybody."