Canada and China seek reset as Carney meets Xi, senior leaders in Beijing

Canada and China have moved to reset bilateral relations following high-level talks in Beijing between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and senior Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, Chair of China’s National People’s Congress.

The four-day visit — Canada’s first prime-ministerial trip to China since 2017 — follows months of diplomatic re-engagement after relations deteriorated under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, particularly over tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and subsequent Chinese retaliation on Canadian farm exports.

Key developments

• Carney praised Xi’s leadership and called for “strategic partnership” across energy, agriculture, security, and multilateral cooperation.

• A new trade and economic roadmap commits both sides to resolving trade disputes and expanding investment ties.

• China’s tariffs on C$2.6bn of Canadian agricultural goods led to a 10.4% fall in Canadian exports to China in 2025.

• Talks continue on potential adjustments to Canada’s EV tariffs, according to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly.

Negotiations are set to continue when Carney meets Xi again on Friday (Jan. 16).

ℹ️ Reuters

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Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney meets the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Zhao Leji, during the first visit by a Canadian Prime Minister to China since 2017 at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio
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Canada and China seek reset as Carney meets Xi, senior leaders in Beijing
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