TORONTO / SEOUL — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit China next week to meet President Xi Jinping, marking a significant shift in Ottawa’s foreign policy as it seeks to reduce its heavy economic reliance on the United States amid mounting tensions under the Trump administration.
Carney announced Wednesday that he will travel to China from January 13 to 17, the first visit by a Canadian prime minister in more than eight years. The trip follows an invitation from Xi during an Asia-Pacific summit in October and comes as both countries attempt to repair relations strained by trade disputes and diplomatic standoffs.
“We’re forging new partnerships around the world to transform our economy from one that has been reliant on a single trade partner to one that is stronger and more resilient to global shock,” Carney said in a statement.
The visit takes place as U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Canada with tariffs and repeatedly questioned its sovereignty, at one point suggesting the country could become “the 51st state.” More than 75% of Canada’s exports currently go to the United States, while the trilateral free trade agreement with the U.S. and Mexico is up for review this year.
Canada’s relationship with China deteriorated sharply in 2018 following the arrest of a senior Huawei executive under an extradition request from Washington, prompting Beijing to detain two Canadian citizens in retaliation. Tensions resurfaced in 2024 when Canada imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, batteries, and other goods, mirroring U.S. policy. China responded with steep tariffs on Canadian canola, seafood, and pork, though it has since offered to ease some import taxes if Ottawa drops the EV tariffs.
Carney will also attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19 to 21, as Canada accelerates efforts to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade.
Meanwhile, in East Asia, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said he has asked China to act as a mediator in efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and revive stalled diplomacy over North Korea’s nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters during the Shanghai leg of his China visit, Lee said he raised the request during a summit with Xi in Beijing earlier this week, citing Beijing’s unique influence as North Korea’s largest trading partner and chief diplomatic supporter.
“We’re making efforts but all our channels with North Korea are completely blocked,” Lee said. “I told him it would be good for China to play the role of a mediator for peace.”
According to Lee, Xi responded that patience would be necessary, a view echoed by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in a separate meeting. China has consistently called for restraint among all parties and has resisted moves at the United Nations to further tighten sanctions on Pyongyang despite its continued missile and nuclear tests.
North Korea has refused to resume talks with South Korea or the United States since the collapse of nuclear negotiations between leader Kim Jong Un and then-President Trump in 2019. Since taking office last June, Lee’s administration has pushed for a phased and gradual denuclearization process, beginning with freezing North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs in exchange for corresponding benefits — an approach Lee said Chinese officials broadly share.
However, Pyongyang has dismissed renewed diplomatic overtures, with Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, previously criticizing Seoul’s alliance with Washington and rejecting any return to denuclearization talks.
The parallel diplomatic efforts by Canada and South Korea underscore China’s growing role as a central player in global trade realignments and regional security discussions, even as Western allies navigate increasingly complex relations with both Beijing and Washington.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
