Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to redefine Canada’s ties with China as he is set to meet President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea this week. This meeting marks a significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations since the strained relations following the 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and the subsequent detention of two Canadians by China.
Carney, speaking to the press at the end of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, confirmed the upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping. He emphasized that this meeting is the beginning of a broader dialogue, referring to his recent discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the UN General Assembly.
The discussions between Carney and Xi are expected to encompass various topics, including the commercial ties between the countries and the global system’s progression. Carney expressed anticipation for the meeting, highlighting the importance of re-establishing the bilateral relationship.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is also seeking a meeting with President Xi following the announcement of a potential trade deal framework between the two nations. Carney hinted at the possibility of relaxing investment restrictions on Chinese capital imposed by the previous government and left room for negotiations on a free trade agreement or the removal of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Acknowledging China as Canada’s second-largest trading partner and a major global economic player, Carney stressed the potential for rebuilding relations despite the current challenges. The historical context includes the failed trade negotiations between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration and China in 2017, leading to subsequent deteriorations in the relationship due to various trade disputes and retaliatory measures.
Carney emphasized the significance of improving the current state of relations, recognizing the vast opportunities for enhancement despite the existing obstacles. The upcoming meeting between Carney and Xi is viewed as a crucial step towards fostering a more positive and constructive engagement between Canada and China.