CANADA’S PRIME MINISTER ARRIVES IN CHINA
Mark Carney arrived in Beijing today in the first visit to China by a Canadian prime minister since 2017.
The trip is expected to focus on narrowing a years-long rift that widened in 2024 when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau followed in the footsteps of the Biden administration and slapped 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Carney who shared his trip plan on social media stated that China is our second-largest trading partner, and the world’s second largest economy. A pragmatic and constructive relationship between our nations will create greater stability, security, and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.”
The decision to visit China followed a positive encounter with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea in October. While the meeting produced no breakthroughs, with Chinese tariffs still shutting out Canadian canola from its biggest market, both leaders agreed to advance bilateral ties. Xi invited Carney to visit, which he accepted. Re-engagement with China has also been driven by a desire to diversify export markets after U.S. President Donald Trump rained tariffs on Canada last year and suggested that the longtime U.S. ally could become the 51st U.S. state.
