A significant shift could occur in the international political landscape between Canada and China. The Canadian Prime Minister has scheduled an official visit to China for January, for reasons yet to be revealed. Despite this, the trip has generated commentary due to its timing: a period of considerable political uncertainty in trade between China and the United States, Canada’s neighbor. More than a diplomatic gesture, this trip could represent the end of a historical dependence between the two American countries and a new economic path.
Can we expect a new chapter in Canada-China relations?
This is the first time in a decade that a Canadian Prime Minister will travel to China. This period marks a time when the two countries have not engaged in any kind of trade negotiations. Mark Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister, took office less than a year ago and already advocates for a more practical and direct diplomacy. The idea for this meeting arose after some conversations with Xi Jinping during an international summit in Asia.
In previous years, Canada and China exchanged tariffs, imposed as a form of punishment, which affected important sectors such as agriculture. Essential products for Canadians, such as canola, were the most impacted by these tariffs. With the Canadian Prime Minister’s visit to China, it is expected that this impasse between the two countries will end, improving the scenario for exporters and investors.
From China’s perspective, this trip by the Canadian Prime Minister could be a good opportunity to strengthen ties with an important partner in the West, which is beneficial for the country to have such an ally. With this initiative, Canada is making a clear attempt to reposition itself, especially given the current divided global landscape.
Canada may face pressure from the United States
Because Canada is attempting closer ties with China, the country is already facing some trade difficulties, not with just any country, but with a long-standing and important partner: the United States. Since Donald Trump returned to the presidency, they have resumed a more protectionist stance and have therefore imposed higher tariffs on products from Canada, such as steel, aluminum, and the automotive industry.
Because of this desire to engage with China, Canada will need to diversify its trade partners, not just strategically, but out of necessity. Prime Minister Carney has stated that he intends to double the country’s exports outside the US. We can therefore analyze China as a key piece in this plan.
A relationship marked by recent crises
Before Carney’s scheduled visit to China, the two countries were experiencing a delicate diplomatic scenario. During Justin Trudeau’s time as prime minister, a free trade agreement fell through, and this became even more sensitive to debate after Meng Wanzhou, a Huawei executive, was arrested in Canada.
People in Canada and China followed this case and suffered the consequences of the freeze on diplomatic progress between the two countries for years. Afterward, a climate of distrust and retaliation remained. This visit by the new Canadian prime minister aims to address this problem, but without ignoring the lessons of the past.
What can we expect from the meeting between the two countries?
This diplomatic visit by the Canadian Prime Minister to China might seem routine, but it holds special significance and could signal an attempt by the country to restore a positive relationship for its foreign policy and expand its trade partnerships.
Given the current global political landscape of rivalries and uncertainties, it is important for Canada to seek other trading partners, as this is a sound economic survival strategy. If the dialogue between the two countries proceeds cautiously and is conducted well, we could see a new scenario between Canada and China.
