Canadian oil exports to China are reaching unprecedented levels as Beijing turns away from American supplies amid ongoing trade tensions with Washington. According to Bloomberg News, Vancouver ports shipped a record-high five million barrels of oil in the first half of October, with more than 70 per cent of those exports destined for China.

The surge underscores a shift in global energy trade patterns, with Canada benefiting from strained U.S.-China relations. China has significantly reduced purchases of American crude in recent years, creating an opening for Canadian producers seeking new markets.

The growth in shipments reflects the expanded capacity provided by the Trans Mountain pipeline system, which connects Alberta’s oil sands to tidewater at Burnaby, B.C. The project, completed earlier this year, has allowed producers to access Pacific markets more efficiently and at competitive prices.

Industry analysts told Bloomberg the shift has strengthened Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of heavy crude to Asia, where refiners are looking to diversify sources amid geopolitical uncertainty. The increase also marks a milestone in Canada’s long-standing effort to reduce dependence on the U.S. energy market, which historically absorbed nearly all of its crude exports.

The higher exports provide an economic boost while underscoring Canada’s expanding role in the global fossil fuel market.