Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): As Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares for his first official visit to China next week, his government has signalled a possible shift in Canada’s long-strained relationship with Beijing, with a renewed focus on dialogue, trade and economic cooperation.
Carney’s parliamentary secretary, MP Kody Blois, said the visit reflects the prime minister’s intent to “recalibrate” ties with China after years of diplomatic tension. Speaking in an interview aired Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live, Blois said Carney believes there are opportunities for partnership despite existing differences.
“The trip next week is a continuation of that turning point in the relationship,” Blois said. “He believes there’s opportunity for partnership.”
During the visit, Carney is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit to China by a Canadian prime minister since 2017. Following his China stop, Carney will travel to Qatar on January 18 and then to Switzerland from January 19 to 21 to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The China visit is being closely watched by Prairie provinces, particularly Saskatchewan, where farmers have been hit hard by Chinese retaliatory tariffs. Those tariffs were imposed after Canada placed duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles in 2024. China responded by targeting Canadian canola, seafood and pork exports.
Blois, who will accompany the prime minister, said Ottawa sees potential for cooperation in agriculture and agri-food sectors, but declined to promise immediate outcomes.
“What Canadians should understand is that we know the importance of what the Chinese market means from an economic perspective,” he said.
Saskatchewan canola producers say the impact has been severe. Bill Prybylski, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, estimated his own farm has lost around $450,000 due to the tariffs. While good yields have helped farmers meet short-term obligations, he warned that spending decisions are becoming more cautious.
Prybylski said he does not expect instant tariff relief from the visit but hopes it could mark “the start of the end” of the trade dispute.
Not all provincial leaders agree on easing trade tensions. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has urged Carney to maintain tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, arguing Canada should not back down. Ford has instead called on China to invest directly in Canadian manufacturing, including building EV plants in Ontario.
Canada–China relations have remained strained since 2018, when China detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor following Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition request. Though diplomatic relations have thawed somewhat, trust remains fragile.
Former national security adviser Jody Thomas said engagement with China remains necessary despite the challenges. She argued Canada cannot isolate itself from major global powers.
Michael Kovrig, now released, has said expanding trade with China can be reasonable as long as Canada does not compromise its national security or policy independence.
Blois echoed that caution, saying engagement does not mean agreement on all issues.
“There will be areas where we can partner, and areas where we can’t,” he said. “But if we’re not at the table, none of that happens.”
