Key Takeaways:
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China marks the first by a Canadian PM since 2017, aiming to repair ties and discuss trade and tariffs.
- The two countries are looking to diversify export markets and reduce tensions after the US imposed tariffs on Canada.
- Canada and China have signed a trade and economic roadmap, committing to resolve issues on trade in agricultural products and welcoming investments in various fields.
- The visit is seen as a positive step towards improving relations, with Carney hailing the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the progress made in the relationship.
- The business community is optimistic about the visit, with Canadian companies looking to expand their presence in China.
Introduction to the Visit
The visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to China is a significant event, marking the first time a Canadian prime minister has visited the country since 2017. The four-day visit is aimed at repairing ties between the two countries and discussing trade and tariffs. Carney’s optimism about the visit is evident, as he hailed the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the progress made in the relationship. The visit follows months of intense re-engagement by both countries, aimed at recalibrating ties that had soured under the previous prime minister, Justin Trudeau.
Background of the Tensions
The relationship between Canada and China has been strained in the past decade, with periods of tension roiling ties. One of the recent issues was the imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles by the Trudeau government in 2024, which led to China retaliating with tariffs on over $2.6 billion of Canadian farm and food products. This resulted in a slump of 10.4% in Chinese imports of Canadian goods in 2025. However, efforts to strike up new dialogue have gathered pace since Carney took the helm, with top officials of both sides setting up meetings and telephone calls that resulted in the leaders’ October meeting in South Korea.
The Trade and Economic Roadmap
During the visit, Canada and China signed a trade and economic roadmap, committing to "maintaining open channels of communication" to resolve issues on trade in agricultural products. The roadmap welcomes Chinese investments in energy, agriculture, and consumer products, while Beijing looks forward to Canada’s investment in services, new materials, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing, among other fields. The pacts provide "an example to the world of cooperation amidst a time globally of division and disorder," Carney told Zhao Leji, China’s top legislator. The roadmap is seen as a positive step towards improving relations and reducing tensions between the two countries.
Business Community’s Perspective
The business community is optimistic about the visit, with Canadian companies looking to expand their presence in China. Jacob Cooke, chief executive of Beijing-based WPIC Marketing + Technologies, a Canadian company that worked with garment firms Arc’teryx and Lululemon on their China launch, said, "We know Carney has got a lot of business experience, and he’s been to China many times. So from the business community’s perspective, we’re very optimistic, we’re confident." Carney has met senior executives of Chinese business groups, such as EV battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) and China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), during his visit.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The visit of Prime Minister Mark Carney to China is a significant step towards improving relations between the two countries. The signing of the trade and economic roadmap and the commitment to resolve issues on trade in agricultural products are positive developments. The business community is optimistic about the visit, and Canadian companies are looking to expand their presence in China. However, there are still challenges to be addressed, including the issue of tariffs on electric vehicles and canola. Nevertheless, the visit is seen as a positive step towards reducing tensions and improving ties between Canada and China. As Carney said, "I believe that together, we are bringing this relationship back toward where it should be."
