"Relations between Canada and China plunged into a deep freeze after Canadian authorities arrested a key official of Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei as she was transitioning through the Vancouver international airport in December 2018. China retaliated against the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, which was carried out at the request of authorities in the United States, by detaining two Canadians. Relations have continued to face challenges."
"In 2024, Ottawa, following a line set by Washington, slapped Chinese electric vehicles with 100 percent tariffs, prompting Beijing to impose tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural goods, including canola. Ottawa has also accused China of political interference. Against that backdrop, Carney's visit marks a recalibration and change in tone and signals Canada's desire to improve relations, said Vina Nadjibulla, vice president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada."
"Carney is keen to diversify the Canadian economy and reduce its dependence on the US, the destination for nearly 80 percent of Canadian exports. While Canada has historically been among the US's closest allies, the relationship has gone south since Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump has slapped Canada with a 35 percent across-the-board tariff and separate duties on steel, aluminium and lumber, while repeatedly threatening to make the country the 51st US state."
Mark Carney arrived in China to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, becoming the first Canadian leader to visit since 2017. Relations plunged after Canadian authorities arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver airport in December 2018, and China detained two Canadians in retaliation. Tensions persisted with 2024 tariffs: Ottawa imposed 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and Beijing retaliated against Canadian agricultural goods including canola. Ottawa has accused China of political interference. The visit signals a recalibration to improve ties while Carney seeks to diversify the Canadian economy and reduce dependence on the United States.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]