Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to embark on a trip to China next week, which will mark the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to the country since 2017. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that the visit, scheduled from Jan. 13 to 17, will involve meetings between Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss various topics including trade, energy, agriculture, and international security.
Carney emphasized the need for Canada to diversify its economy in response to global trade disruptions, moving away from reliance on a single trading partner towards a more robust and resilient economic model. He highlighted the establishment of new partnerships in energy and trade, attracting significant investments, and creating more opportunities for Canadians.
During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, last October, Carney engaged with President Xi, who extended an invitation for the upcoming visit. In addition to meeting with President Xi, Carney is also scheduled to hold discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other officials in China.
Following his visit to China, Carney will proceed to Doha on Jan. 18 to meet with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Subsequently, he will attend the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from Jan. 19 to 21 to engage with business leaders.
The trade tensions between Canada and China, particularly concerning tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and Canadian agricultural products, are expected to be addressed during the meetings between Carney and Chinese officials. The dispute stems from Canada imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in alignment with the United States’ actions, citing the need to protect its domestic automobile industry. In response, China imposed tariffs on Canadian canola seed imports, canola oil, meal, peas, as well as certain Canadian pork, fish, and seafood products.
The discussions between Carney and Xi symbolize a step towards improving relations between the two countries after facing challenges in recent years. The meeting holds significance in establishing diplomatic channels to address disputes effectively. Former diplomat Michael Kovrig emphasized the importance of upholding Canada’s national security interests while pursuing expanded trade relations with China, cautioning against compromising on key principles for economic benefits.
The Opposition Conservatives criticized Carney’s frequent international travels, questioning the outcomes for Canadians. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s office expressed concerns over the prime minister’s extensive global engagements, suggesting a need for him to prioritize addressing domestic issues instead of engaging in international diplomacy. Poilievre also raised skepticism about the World Economic Forum, labeling it as a platform for global elites undermining the working class.