Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney (pic) has departed for China, where he will discuss trade and international security at a time when Canada faces uncertain relations with the United States due to a trade war and annexation threats from President Donald Trump.
It is the first visit to Beijing by a Canadian prime minister since 2017 and could mark a critical shift in ties between the two countries as Canada seeks new trade and security partnerships.
Carney agreed to visit China last October when he and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in South Korea. It was an encounter that offered no breakthroughs but suggested potential for deeper ties after a fractious relationship under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which had soured after Canada arrested the chief financial officer of Chinese firm Huawei in 2018.
This time, experts expect some deals – or at least promises of future deals – to be struck. Senior Canadian officials said Carney would sign a number of memoranda that are still under discussion.
Greg MacEachern, a former senior Liberal ministerial adviser, said he expected the trip would yield results beyond mere symbolism.
“When the Prime Minister is invited to China, it is not for window dressing,” he said, adding the trip would be monitored in Washington. There’s a political risk this could upset President Trump, but Prime Minister Carney clearly wants to send the message that Canada is open for business. And the Canadian government has made the calculation that it’s worth it.”
Deals could include more exports of Canadian crude to China, according to a source informed of the discussions. — Reuters
