Overview

• Prime Minister Mark Carney held his first call with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to establish regular channels of communication and convene the Joint Economic and Trade Commission at deputy-minister level.
• The leaders agreed to tackle Canada’s 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and 25% levies on steel and aluminum alongside Beijing’s retaliatory duties on canola, peas and seafood.
• Western Canadian farmers and seafood producers in Atlantic Canada and British Columbia have borne the brunt of escalating duties that have stalled billions of dollars in bilateral trade.
• Carney and Li committed their governments to a joint strategy against illegal fentanyl by targeting precursor chemicals used in opioid production.
• Beijing’s ambassador warned against a “Cold War mentality” and urged Ottawa to lift EV tariffs as U.S. officials press Canada to counter expanding Chinese influence.