Carney and Xi Pledge to Address Trade ‘Irritants’ in First High-Level Meeting in Seven Years
Beijing – In a meaningful thaw in relations, Canadian Governor General Mary Simon and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Friday to address ongoing trade disputes and seek solutions to “irritants” impacting the Canada-China relationship. The meeting,the first formal high-level contact between the two countries since former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Xi in Beijing in December 2017,signals a potential shift towards more constructive dialogue after nearly a decade of strained ties.
The discussions focused on issues including agricultural and agri-food products - specifically canola - as well as seafood and electric vehicles, areas where Canadian exports have faced recurring barriers.Major Canadian exports to China, including canola, pork, and minerals, have repeatedly encountered trade obstacles. Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles also remain a point of contention. The renewed engagement comes as both nations navigate a complex geopolitical landscape and seek to stabilize economic ties.
Governor General Simon’s visit represents an ”olive branch” accepted by both sides, despite a history of accusations from Canadian political leaders and policymakers that Beijing has used trade as leverage. Prior to Friday’s meeting,the last formal contact occurred when Trudeau pursued – and ultimately failed to secure – a free-trade deal with China in 2017.
Relations between Canada and China have been deeply strained, marked by mistrust and limited economic engagement. A major rupture occurred with the 2018 arrest of huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver, leading to Beijing’s retaliatory detention of two Canadians. This incident, coupled with allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections and intimidation of diaspora communities, significantly hardened public and political opinion.
