As the prime minister prepares for his upcoming trip to China, MP Kody Blois, the parliamentary secretary, mentioned that Mark Carney aims to “realign” Canada’s formerly cool relationship with the Chinese government and explore potential economic opportunities for both nations. Blois stated during an interview on Rosemary Barton Live that the upcoming visit signifies a significant turning point in the relationship and Carney sees potential for collaboration.
The prime minister is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to China, according to official sources. Following this, he will travel to Qatar on January 18 and then Switzerland from January 19 to 21 to participate in the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.
The Prairie provinces are closely monitoring the visit to China as they have urged Carney to lift the tariffs imposed on Chinese-made electric vehicles in 2024. In response, China imposed tariffs on Canadian canola, seafood, and pork products.
Blois, who will accompany Carney on the trip to China, mentioned that the federal government sees promising opportunities for cooperation in agriculture and agri-food sectors. However, when asked about potential outcomes next week, Blois refrained from providing specific details.
Saskatchewan’s canola farmers have been adversely affected by China’s tariffs, resulting in significant financial losses. Bill Prybylski, the president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, estimated that his farm alone has incurred around $450,000 in losses due to the tariffs.
Prybylski expressed uncertainty regarding immediate tariff relief post-Carney’s visit but expressed hope for constructive negotiations between both sides. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford emphasized the importance of maintaining tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, advocating for a firm stance.
Notably, last year, China’s ambassador to Canada mentioned that the Chinese electric vehicle company BYD had considered investing in Canada but faced challenges and eventually abandoned the idea.
Carney’s upcoming trip to China will mark the first visit by a Canadian prime minister since 2017. The bilateral relationship between Canada and China soured in 2018 following the detention of two Canadians in what was viewed as a retaliatory move by China after Canada arrested Huawei’s CFO in response to a U.S. extradition request.
Despite the complex history between the two nations, former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s national security adviser, Jody Thomas, emphasized the importance of engaging with China. Michael Kovrig, one of the detained Canadians, expressed cautious optimism about expanding trade relationships without compromising national security interests.
Blois stressed the necessity of engaging in dialogue with the Chinese government to explore potential partnerships while acknowledging that there will be areas of disagreement. He highlighted the importance of leader-to-leader meetings to facilitate constructive engagement and dialogue.