During sideline talks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, President Xi invited Prime Minister Carney to visit China. Prime Minister Carney accepted President Xi's invitation.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, a move seen as a new "turning point" in relations between the two countries, which have been strained in recent years.
During the sideline talks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, President Xi invited Prime Minister Carney to visit China. In the process, Prime Minister Carney accepted President Xi's invitation. They held sideline talks for about 40 minutes on Friday.
This is the first meeting between a Canadian prime minister and a Chinese president since 2017. Diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorated in 2018 and are set to worsen in 2024 due to a trade dispute. However, Canada's trade relations with the United States have also deteriorated recently. Carney has said that his country will also strengthen its ties with other major economies.
He is expressing his desire to double Canada's exports to countries outside the United States within a decade. He announced this plan after Donald Trump decided to increase tariffs on Canadian goods.
Speaking briefly to reporters after meeting Xi on Friday, Carney expressed his belief that a “new turning point” in China-Canada relations would come. “Problems cannot be solved by distancing ourselves. This is the path that benefits our people,” he said.
Xi expressed his desire to work together with Canada for mutual benefit. The trade dispute between the two countries escalated after Canada decided to impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in October 2024. The following month, Canada imposed a 25 percent tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum.
In response, China also increased tariffs on Canadian agricultural products in March. It imposed a 76 percent levy on Canadian soybeans and a 100 percent levy on mustard oil. This has hit farmers in western Canada hard. China is the largest buyer of mustard seeds produced in Canada.
Recently, relations between the US and Canada have not been good. The US has decided to impose a 35 percent tariff on Canadian goods not mentioned in the free trade agreement. Similarly, it is imposing a 50 percent tariff on steel and aluminum and a 25 percent tariff on automobiles.
There is a growing opinion within the country that Canada cannot fight a trade war on two fronts and that it should improve relations with China.
