Canada and China Seek Reset as Mark Carney Calls for New Strategic Partnership in Beijing

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney described a “new strategic partnership” with China after meeting President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, marking the first visit by a Canadian leader in eight years.

Speaking to Xi at the Great Hall of the People, Carney said the two countries could build on past ties to create a relationship suited to today’s global conditions. He emphasized that engagement and cooperation would underpin the renewed partnership, highlighting agriculture, energy and finance as areas where quick progress could be made.

Relations between Canada and China have been strained for years, following the mutual detention of citizens and a series of trade disputes. Carney’s visit signals an effort to reset ties as Canada looks to reduce its heavy dependence on the United States, especially after President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Canadian exports.

The carefully planned state visit reflects the economic pressure Canada faces from its trade conflict with the US and the need to diversify export markets to offset losses caused by its largest trading partner.

Xi welcomed Carney and said bilateral relations reached a turning point during their previous meeting at the Apec summit in October 2025. He noted that last year’s talks opened a new phase of improving ties and stressed that stable, healthy relations serve the shared interests of both countries. Xi added that he was pleased to see recent efforts to restore cooperation.

China–Canada relations deteriorated in 2018 after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a US warrant, followed by China’s detention of two Canadians on espionage charges. This was followed by mutual tariffs and accusations that China interfered in Canadian elections.

Carney has since pushed for a diplomatic shift, while Beijing has said it is ready to bring relations back on track. During his visit, Carney also met Premier Li Qiang and is scheduled to speak with business leaders about trade.

Although Canada has long been a close US ally, it has been particularly affected by Trump’s tariffs on steel, aluminium, vehicles and lumber. Carney said in October that Canada should double its non-US exports by 2035 to lessen its reliance on the US.

Despite this goal, the US remains Canada’s dominant market, purchasing about 75% of Canadian exports in 2024, according to government data. China, while Canada’s second-largest market, accounted for less than 4% of exports that year.

Officials from both countries are continuing talks to cut tariffs and expand trade, but no agreement has yet been finalized.