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Carney's China visit aims to reset strained relations
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is traveling to China this week in a high-stakes effort to mend diplomatic and economic ties, as Ottawa seeks to reduce its reliance on U.S. trade while navigating tensions with both Beijing and Washington.
Historic trip carries high stakes
This marks the first official visit by a Canadian leader to China since 2017, with senior officials calling it a "consequential and historic" step. The trip follows years of frosty relations, including a 2018 diplomatic crisis over the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on U.S. fraud charges. Beijing retaliated by detaining two Canadians on espionage allegations, with all three released in 2021 after a legal resolution.
Carney's agenda includes meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji, and President Xi Jinping. Trade, agriculture, and security are expected to dominate discussions, though Beijing has framed the visit as an opportunity to strengthen "people-to-people ties."
Balancing act between China and the U.S.
Canada's push for diversification comes as its trade future with the U.S.-its largest partner-remains uncertain. The Carney government has set an ambitious goal to double non-U.S. exports within a decade, with China seen as a critical market. However, Ottawa faces pressure to avoid alienating Washington, particularly under Donald Trump's administration, which has imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and autos.
A former Canadian diplomat, Colin Robertson, told the BBC that both countries are approaching the relationship with "realism," though clashes over defense and critical minerals remain likely. "A healthier relationship is possible if both sides understand each other's red lines," he said.
Economic tensions and tariff disputes
One of Canada's top priorities is securing the removal of Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola, which have hurt Prairie farmers. Beijing imposed the levies in 2024 in response to Canadian duties on Chinese electric vehicles, mirroring U.S. trade actions. State-run Global Times suggested the tariffs were retaliation for Canada "blindly following the U.S." and urged Ottawa to pursue "strategic autonomy."
For China, a deal with Canada could bolster its influence in a key U.S. ally. Bilateral trade reached $118 billion in 2024, but Beijing has warned against Canada aligning too closely with Washington. Meanwhile, Canada is preparing for critical talks to renew the North American free trade agreement later this year, which could further strain its economic balancing act.
Diplomatic tightrope ahead of Xi meeting
Carney's visit has already sparked controversy. Two Liberal MPs cut short a sponsored trip to Taiwan this week to avoid undermining Canada's Beijing engagement, though officials insisted Ottawa's stance on Taiwan remains unchanged. The prime minister is scheduled to meet Xi on Friday, following their brief encounter at an Asia-Pacific summit last year.
Robertson noted that the U.S. is closely monitoring Canada-China relations but emphasized that Ottawa is prioritizing its own economic interests. "At the end of the day, there are Canadian interests we're pursuing," he said.
Updated with reporting from Jessica Murphy in Toronto.
