Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping have initiated a significant diplomatic reset during their meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, marking the first Canadian leadership visit to China in eight years. The high-level discussions focused on establishing what both leaders termed a “new strategic partnership” aimed at overcoming years of strained relations.
The bilateral relationship had deteriorated significantly since 2018, triggered by Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant and China’s subsequent detention of two Canadian citizens on espionage charges. This diplomatic crisis was further exacerbated by reciprocal trade tariffs and allegations of Chinese election interference.
Prime Minister Carney emphasized the urgent need to diversify Canada’s economic partnerships, particularly in light of recent aggressive tariff impositions by the Trump administration on Canadian steel, aluminum, vehicles, and lumber. “Together we can build on the best of what this relationship has been in the past to create a new one adapted to new global realities,” Carney stated during the meeting.
President Xi Jinping acknowledged the positive momentum since the leaders’ previous encounter at the October APEC summit, noting that their discussions had “opened a new chapter in turning China-Canada relations toward improvement.” Xi emphasized that “the healthy and stable development of China-Canada relations serves the common interests of our two countries.”
The renewed partnership identifies agriculture, energy, and finance as priority sectors for immediate cooperation. Both nations are engaged in ongoing negotiations to reduce trade barriers and enhance bilateral commerce, though no formal agreement has been finalized. While China represents Canada’s second-largest export market, it currently accounts for less than 4% of Canadian exports, significantly trailing the United States’ 75% share.