Overview
- Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Beijing for a four-day visit, with meetings set with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as officials describe discussions as productive with no deal announced.
- Negotiations center on reciprocal easing of trade measures, including Canada’s 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and China’s duties on Canadian canola, seafood and pork.
- Domestic pressures shape Ottawa’s stance, with Prairie producers and Saskatchewan seeking relief from Chinese agricultural tariffs while Ontario’s premier warns against easing EV levies to protect the auto sector.
- Chinese state media ties improved ties to Canada demonstrating greater “strategic autonomy” from the United States, a message landing as North American trade rules face review.
- China reported a 10.4% drop in imports from Canada in 2025 to $41.7 billion, and consular and human-rights issues are expected to be raised alongside trade talks.