Carney seeks to resolve trade impasse during meeting with Xi in Beijing

Prime Minister Mark Carney met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing as part of a four-day visit; talks focus on agriculture, energy and finance and aim to address tariffs arising from a 2024 dispute over electric vehicles and retaliatory levies on Canadian farm exports.

Prime Minister Mark Carney met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The meeting, followed by a working lunch, is part of Mr. Carney's four-day official visit — the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017. Mr. Carney described a new strategic partnership and highlighted agriculture, energy and finance as priority areas. A central objective is to address a trade impasse that began after Canada imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024 and Beijing responded with levies on Canadian agricultural products. Key points: - Mr. Carney and Mr. Xi began a bilateral meeting in Beijing that will be followed by further discussions and a working lunch. - The visit included meetings with Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji, and the signing of five non-binding memorandums of understanding, including one on energy cooperation and natural uranium trade. - China imposed levies on Canadian canola, pork, peas and seafood after Canada placed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles; China has said it would remove levies if Canada scraps the EV tariff. - Canadian officials say they welcome Chinese investment in energy, including conventional oil sands, and discussed expanded cooperation in agriculture and consumer products. - Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand described talks on reducing Chinese tariffs on canola as productive, though government officials told the canola industry not to expect full elimination and asked traders to identify acceptable tariff rates. Summary: The meetings are intended to open a new phase in Canada-China relations and to seek progress on outstanding tariff disputes that have affected exporters. Outcomes remain undetermined at this time and will depend on the ongoing talks between Mr. Carney's delegation and Chinese officials.