Overview
- On a four-day trip to Beijing, Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting Xi Jinping and Li Qiang to elevate engagement on trade, energy, agriculture and security while reducing reliance on the U.S. market.
- Senior officials say the visit is expected to yield memoranda of understanding and some movement on trade irritants, with canola tariffs discussed but no definitive removal anticipated.
- Talks under discussion include potential increases in Canadian crude exports to China, according to officials and a source familiar with the planning.
- China’s state media is urging Ottawa to exercise “strategic autonomy,” as both sides weigh Canada’s 100% EV tariff and Beijing’s duties on Canadian farm goods; Ontario’s premier cautions against easing EV measures.
- Two Liberal MPs cut short a Taiwan visit to avoid mixed signals during the Beijing meetings, and analysts warn any commercial gains should be paired with tighter guardrails on sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure.