After Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping met face-to-face in South Korea, China’s ambassador to Canada is suggesting the two countries “triple” trade with one another if the market allows.
“I think it depends on the market, on the products. Is there enough competitiveness or not,” Ambassador Wang Di said in an interview with CTV’s Power Play on Friday, when asked by host Mike Le Couteur if he wants to see an increase in Canadian imports to China.
“What I’m looking forward (to) is not only double our trade. If both sides have enough compatibilities and have enough competitive products, why not make this trade triple than what we already have now.”
In a pre-budget speech last week, Carney announced his government’s goal for Canada to double non-U.S. exports in the next decade.
According to Statistics Canada, total trade between Canada and China in 2024 was $118.7 billion. And of that number, roughly $30 billion were Canadian exports.
Carney calls meeting a ‘turning point’
On Friday, Carney and Xi met on the sidelines of the summit in South Korea, making it the first meeting between the countries’ top leaders since 2017.
As trade uncertainty with the U.S. continues, Canada is looking to recalibrate relations with China after years of tensions.
The relationship soured significantly in 2018 after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on behalf of the United States over bank fraud charges.
Days later, China separately detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor over allegations of espionage — accusations they denied. Both men were eventually released after spending more than 1,000 days in a Chinese prison, not long after Meng herself was released from house arrest.
Speaking to reporters after the 39-minute meeting, Carney described it as a “turning point” and “long overdue.”
“It has been eight years since a Canadian prime minister has met with the president of China,” Carney said.
“We now have a turning point in the relationship. A turning point that creates opportunities for Canadian families, for Canadian businesses and Canadian workers, and also creates a path to address current issues.”
According to a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders directed their officials to move quickly to resolve outstanding trade issues and irritants.
“They discussed solutions to respective sensitivities regarding issues including agriculture and agri-food products, such as canola, as well as seafood and electric vehicles,” the statement said in part.
Carney also accepted an invitation to visit China “at a mutually convenient time.”
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy to Canada said the relationship between the two countries is “beginning to recover and improve.”
Wang echoed that sentiment.
“China and Canada should develop an objective and rational perception of the other. View each other in the correct way and advance the bilateral relations… in the long-term interests of both countries,” he said.
Tariffs don’t represent ‘whole relationship’: ambassador
In an interview with CTV’s Question Period earlier this month, Wang said China will lift its canola tariffs if Canada drops its electric vehicle (EV) tariffs.
Canada is currently undergoing a review of its decision to levy 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made EVs under previous prime minister Justin Trudeau. The policy was made in concert with the U.S.
In retaliation, China levied a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal and a 75.8 per cent tariff on canola seed. China has also imposed a 25 per cent levy on some seafood products.
Asked by Le Couteur whether China is any closer to removing its tariffs following Friday’s meeting, Wang wouldn’t answer directly, but said tariffs don’t “represent the whole relationship between China and Canada.”
Pressed again by Le Couteur on whether there is a path for both countries to lift their tariffs, Wang said there is “a lot of homework” to be done.
“Both sides now (had) some very close exchanges in connection on these issues,” he said, adding “both sides will keep working very hard to finding a solution with these tariffs issues.”
There is divide among Canadian leaders on the trade dispute, with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew calling on the federal government to drop its EV levies, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants them to remain.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has also said he opposes lifting the tariffs on Chinese EVs, though he is calling for Carney to do more to support farmers and get China to drop its levies on canola.
At APEC, Xi also met with U.S. President Donald Trump in South Korea, during which the latter agreed to reduce tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade, keeping rare earths exports flowing and resuming U.S. soybean purchases.
When asked why Xi’s meeting with Carney didn’t result in any tangible results, Wang said there will be “more good news on the way.”
With files from CTV News’ Judy Trinh and Spencer Van Dyk
