As Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Beijing this week, Chinese officials and state media framed the visit as a chance to recalibrate ties with a longtime U.S. ally.
The trip comes as Canada faces escalating trade friction with Washington and seeks to reduce its reliance on the American market.
Beijing has publicly urged Ottawa to pursue what it calls “strategic autonomy,” encouraging a foreign policy less aligned with U.S. positions.
Carney has described the visit as part of a broader effort to diversify Canada’s trade relationships following U.S. tariffs and political pressure.
Carney’s visit marks the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017 and follows nearly a decade of strained relations.
Ties deteriorated after Canada arrested a senior Chinese technology executive in 2018 at the request of the United States.
Relations worsened further in 2024 when Canada imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and additional duties on steel and aluminum.
China responded with tariffs on Canadian exports including canola, seafood, and pork, sharply curtailing trade.
Chinese state media this week argued that past setbacks stemmed from Canada aligning too closely with Washington.
“If the Canadian side reflects on the root causes of the setbacks in bilateral relations over the past few years — the previous Justin Trudeau government’s policies to contain China in lockstep with the United States — it will realize that it can avoid the same outcome by upholding its strategic autonomy in handling China-related issues,” China Daily wrote.
Canadian officials say the current visit is expected to yield progress on trade but not the immediate removal of all tariffs.
Carney is scheduled to sign several memoranda of understanding that remain under negotiation.
Discussions are expected to focus on energy and agriculture, with crude oil and canola exports central to talks.
Canada currently sends about 90% of its oil exports to the United States, leaving it exposed to shifts in U.S. demand.
Chinese officials have signaled openness to rebuilding trust during the visit, while experts caution against overestimating its impact.
Concerns persist in Canada over national security, human rights, and cooperation in sensitive sectors such as artificial intelligence and critical minerals.
Some Canadian leaders have warned against easing tariffs without reciprocal concessions from China.
Analysts note that while U.S. pressure has created space for closer Canada-China engagement, Ottawa remains economically and militarily tied to Washington.
The visit underscores Canada’s effort to balance diversification with longstanding alliances amid an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.