Carney visits Beijing to discuss trade after years of diplomatic strain with China

Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Beijing for a four-day visit to re-engage with China and discuss Canada's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and related retaliatory agricultural levies.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Beijing for a four-day visit to re-engage with China and discuss trade matters. The trip comes after years of diplomatic tension that included the detention of two Canadians and a public inquiry that identified active foreign interference. A central issue is Canada’s 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and the retaliatory agricultural levies China imposed. Officials say they expect progress or signals in talks, though not an immediate, definitive resolution. Key points: - This is the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to Beijing since 2017 and will last four days. - China’s ambassador has said China could be prepared to drop retaliatory tariffs if Canada scraps its EV tariffs. - Canada’s EV tariffs are currently 100 per cent and were aligned with U.S. levies to support the North American auto sector. - A Canadian official said Ottawa expects some progress but not a definitive elimination of China’s tariffs in this visit. - Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is expected to join part of the trip, and officials said Carney is expected to meet President Xi Jinping and sign new agreements. - The visit follows the detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor and a public inquiry that reported sustained foreign interference concerns. Summary: Carney’s trip is intended to reopen high-level engagement and address trade tensions that affect the auto sector and agricultural exporters. Officials describe possible progress or directional signals from talks, and they expect meetings with China’s leadership and the signing of agreements; specific outcomes are undetermined at this time. After Beijing, Carney will travel to Qatar and then to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.