Post by : Rameen Ariff

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday at 4 p.m. local time in South Korea, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Thursday.

Carney’s meeting comes during a week‑long diplomatic drive across Asia, as Canada aims to reduce its heavy reliance on the United States and deepen economic ties with non‑US partners. China is currently Canada’s second‑largest trading partner after the US.

The backdrop of the meeting includes persistent trade tensions: in August, China imposed preliminary anti‑dumping duties on Canadian canola while Canada levied a 100 % tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. Canadian officials say the discussions are broad and aim to rebuild trust rather than fix one sector alone. 

This bilateral dialogue marks a thaw in Canada‑China relations after a period of strain that included the detention and execution of Canadian citizens in China, alleged election interference, and diplomatic spats under Carney’s predecessor. Carney has emphasised that any engagement with China will focus on diversification of markets and reinforcing Canada’s independent foreign policy. 

The upcoming Carney‑Xi meeting in South Korea carries multiple stakes: securing better access for Canadian agricultural and energy exports, addressing China’s canola duties and EV tariffs, and signalling to global markets that Canada is serious about deepening its Indo‑Pacific engagements. Observers note that while Carney seeks results, Canada’s ability to navigate between US and Chinese interests will be put to the test.

The agenda reportedly includes trade, investment, critical minerals, and supply‑chain resilience — all topics increasingly urgent amid global shifts in technology, energy and geopolitics. Whether the meeting yields tangible agreements or simply stabilises the relationship, it is the first major bilateral engagement since Carney’s Asian tour began and could redefine Canada’s global trade posture.

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