Two Liberal MPs cut Taiwan trip short as Carney visits China

Two Liberal MPs have ended a government‑sponsored visit to Taiwan after consulting Canadian officials; their return overlapped with Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing aimed at addressing trade and diplomatic issues.

Two Liberal members of Parliament have cut short a government‑sponsored visit to Taiwan and are returning to Canada. The MPs said their decision followed discussions with Canadian government officials. The delegation included both Liberal and Conservative MPs and involved cultural events and meetings with Taiwanese officials. The early return coincided with Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing, which was presented as an effort to address trade and diplomatic tensions. What is known: - Two Liberal MPs, Helena Jaczek and Marie‑France Lalonde, ended their Taiwan visit early and said they were returning after talking with Canadian government officials. - The delegation was sponsored by the government of Taiwan and included three Conservative MPs: Adam Chambers, Shelby Kramp‑Neuman and Melissa Lantsman. - The visit included cultural events and meetings with Taiwanese officials and is part of twice‑yearly parliamentary trips to Taiwan. - The timing overlapped with Prime Minister Mark Carney's confirmed engagement in Beijing, described as focused on trade and diplomatic issues. - Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and objects to meetings between foreign officials and Taiwanese authorities; trade disputes such as canola tariffs were mentioned in relation to the China engagement. Summary: Officials said the early return was intended to avoid confusion with the Prime Minister's engagement in Beijing. Undetermined at this time.