Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that relations between Canada and China are recovering rapidly during his four-day official visit to China. Carney noted that the groundwork has been laid to elevate Canada–China relations to the level of a strategic partnership.
Meeting in Beijing with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, Carney stated that bilateral relations are being reshaped following tensions experienced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This visit marks the first official visit to China by a Canadian prime minister since 2017.
Carney said the relationship had gone through a period of “uncertainty” and “distance,” adding, “We are bringing this relationship back to where it should be.” He emphasized that teams are working intensively to resolve trade frictions and to create platforms for new opportunities.
‘A Pivotal and Symbolic Development’
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described Carney’s visit as a “pivotal” and “symbolic” development. Wang said the Canadian prime minister’s trip to China after eight years represented a “historic moment” for bilateral relations.
Carney expressed satisfaction with the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, noting that warming ties are opening the door to strategic cooperation in areas such as energy, people-to-people exchanges, and security. The two leaders are expected to meet again on Friday.
After the ‘51st State’ Debate
The easing of tensions is also seen as linked to Ottawa’s efforts to diversify its export markets following U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canada last year and his controversial remarks suggesting that Canada could become the United States’ “51st state.”
One of the main sources of tension in recent years was Canada’s decision in 2024 to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. In response, China introduced additional duties on more than USD 2.6 billion worth of agricultural and food products imported from Canada. Following these measures, Chinese imports from Canada fell by 10.4 percent in 2025.