PM: Canada’s relations with China now more predictable than with US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said during his visit to China that Ottawa’s relations with Beijing have recently become more predictable than its relations with the United States.

He made the comments at a press conference in Beijing, according to Canadian media.

Carney emphasised that despite this shift, Canada’s overall ties with the United States remain broader and more substantial. However, he noted that cooperation with China in recent months has produced tangible outcomes.

“Our relations with the United States, and this is not a revelation, are much more multifaceted, much deeper, and much broader than those with China. But yes, in terms of the development of our relations with China over the past months, they have become more predictable, and you can see the results that follow from that,” Carney said.

During the talks, Canada and China engaged in what Carney described as frank discussions on bilateral cooperation. On Friday, the two countries signed a trade agreement under which Canada will ease tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles that it introduced jointly with the United States in 2024. In return, China will lower duties on key Canadian agricultural goods.

The agreement additionally provides for Chinese investments in Canada’s energy and consumer sectors, while Ottawa intends to invest in China’s aerospace industry and advanced technology manufacturing.

Carney’s trip marks the first visit to China by a Canadian prime minister since 2017.

By Tamilla Hasanova