Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting China this week for the first time in nearly a decade in a bid to repair strained relations and reduce Canada’s economic reliance on the United States amid rising tensions under President Donald Trump.
Carney, who arrives Wednesday, aims to double Canada’s non-U.S. exports over the next decade and expand trade partnerships worldwide. “At a time of global trade disruption, Canada is focused on building a more competitive, sustainable and independent economy,” he said. During his visit, Carney is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior officials.
Canadian officials said the visit seeks to re-energize a dormant strategic partnership with China and ease trade frictions, though no major tariff removals are expected. In a related move, two Canadian lawmakers cut short a trip to Taiwan to avoid confusion over Canada’s China policy, while reaffirming Canada’s stance on the self-governed island.
Trump’s trade policies have pushed Canada and China to seek closer cooperation. Experts note that Carney’s visit reflects opportunities created by U.S. protectionism but caution that Canada remains a close U.S. ally, sharing deep cultural and geographic ties.
Canada-China relations have been bumpy in recent years, affected by Canada’s detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and retaliatory arrests of two Canadians in China, as well as tariffs on steel, aluminum, and electric vehicles. China has also imposed tariffs on Canadian exports including canola, seafood, and pork.
Carney will also travel to Qatar and the World Economic Forum in Davos after his China visit, and plans to visit India later this year to further diversify Canada’s international partnerships.
The visit marks a strategic pivot for Canada as it seeks to navigate global trade disruptions, maintain sovereignty in foreign policy decisions, and balance relations between its two largest trading partners.
