Leaders of China and Canada have taken a significant step in addressing the long-standing tensions between their nations during a meeting in South Korea on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Summit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met on Friday, expressing a mutual desire to enhance bilateral relations through pragmatic and constructive dialogue. Both sides emphasized that the encounter marked a turning point in their relationship.
A Canadian government statement noted that the leaders agreed the meeting represented a critical moment for improving ties. According to official reports, Xi acknowledged that recent efforts by both countries had led to signs of recovery in their relationship.
“We are willing to work together with Canada to take this meeting as an opportunity to promote the return of bilateral relations to a healthy, stable, and sustainable track as soon as possible,” Xi stated, as reported by Chinese state media.
Trudeau, who assumed office in March, accepted an invitation from Xi to visit China, though no specific date was announced. Following the meeting, Trudeau expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the discussion opened new opportunities for Canadian families, businesses, and workers, while also providing a pathway to address current challenges.
However, some analysts caution that the shift in tone does not signal a return to a strategic partnership. Vina Nadjibulla, vice president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, noted that while the meeting reflects a more open approach at the highest levels, there is no indication that China’s actions have changed since it designated China as a foreign security threat.
She urged Trudeau to continue engaging with Chinese leaders while remaining vigilant about China’s growing influence in areas such as Arctic affairs and its potential impact on Canadian security interests.
The relationship between the two countries deteriorated significantly in late 2018 when Canadian authorities arrested a senior Huawei executive as part of an extradition request from the United States. In response, China detained two Canadian citizens on espionage charges. Although the situation improved slightly after the 2021 release of the two Canadians and the Huawei executive, Meng Wanzhou, tensions have persisted.
Recent disputes include Canada’s imposition of a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024 and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum. China retaliated with high tariffs on canola, seafood, and pork, offering to reduce them if Canada removes the EV tariff. The move was made in coordination with the United States.
The Canadian statement indicated that both leaders instructed their officials to address trade issues promptly, discussing solutions for specific products such as electric vehicles, canola, and seafood. Xi called for expanding cooperation in economic, trade, and energy sectors, noting that both nations have faced similar challenges due to U.S. trade policies under former President Donald Trump.
This effort to improve relations comes as Trudeau seeks to diversify Canada’s trade away from the U.S., particularly amid concerns over potential additional tariffs under a possible Trump administration. Canada’s free trade agreement with the U.S. is currently under review.
Earlier on Friday, Trudeau addressed a business event, stating that the era of rules-based liberalized trade had ended, and Canada aims to double its non-U.S. exports over the next decade.
Nadjibulla warned against viewing China as a solution to Canada’s trade challenges with the U.S. She emphasized that overreliance on both the U.S. and China has proven to be a vulnerability that Canada cannot afford.
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