As the prime minister prepares for a visit to China, MP Kody Blois, the parliamentary secretary, mentioned that Mark Carney is interested in improving Canada’s relationship with the Chinese government and exploring economic opportunities between the two nations. Blois highlighted that the upcoming trip signifies a positive shift in the relationship and Carney sees potential for collaboration.
During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping before heading to Qatar on Jan. 18 and then Switzerland from Jan. 19 to 21 for the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.
The Prairie provinces are closely monitoring the visit to China, hoping for a resolution to the tariffs imposed on Chinese-made electric vehicles by Canada in 2024. In response, China imposed tariffs on canola, seafood, and pork. Blois mentioned that there is a chance for cooperation in agriculture and agri-food sectors, but refrained from providing details on expected outcomes.
Saskatchewan’s canola farmers have suffered significant losses due to the tariffs imposed by China, with Bill Prybylski estimating a loss of approximately $450,000 on his farm. Prybylski expressed concerns about future financial commitments given the limited revenue.
Despite the challenges, Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Carney to maintain the tariffs on electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in negotiations with China. Ford suggested that China should consider establishing a manufacturing plant in Ontario.
The visit to China by Carney, the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017, aims to address the strained relations between the two countries. The relationship turned sour in 2018 following the detention of two Canadians in response to Canada’s arrest of Huawei’s CFO, Meng Wanzhou.
Jody Thomas, former national security adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, emphasized the significance of engaging with China despite the complex history. She highlighted the importance of Canada maintaining relationships with major economies like China and India.
Michael Kovrig, one of the Canadians detained in 2018, expressed cautious optimism about expanding trade relations with China while safeguarding national security interests. He stressed the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes national security over economic gains.
Blois emphasized the importance of dialogue with China to explore potential partnerships, acknowledging that there may be disagreements but underscoring the need for open communication to find common ground.