Canadian Finance Minister Carney discusses strategic partnership with Chinese President Xi

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking a significant step towards improving relations between the two nations.

The meeting took place amid global tensions and trade disputes, including those involving the United States. China and Canada have agreed to work together to strengthen their bilateral ties, which had been strained for years.

Xi Jinping expressed his willingness to continue working on improving relations with Canada, citing previous talks that began in October at a regional economic conference in South Korea. Carney stated that better relations between the two countries would help address global governance challenges.

During the meeting, Carney emphasized the importance of cooperation and engagement as the foundation for a new strategic partnership between China and Canada. He identified key areas where progress could be made, including agriculture, energy, and finance.

The visit comes at a time when both China and Canada are seeking to diversify their economies and reduce dependence on the United States. Carney has met with several Chinese companies in Beijing ahead of his trip, highlighting the focus on building an economy less reliant on US trade.

No official announcement was made regarding tariffs between China and Canada, which have been a point of contention in the relationship. However, both countries have imposed duties on each other’s goods, including Canadian canola oil and meal, steel, aluminum, pork, seafood, and canola seeds.

Source: Al Jazeera