Karandeep-Canada:
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new strategic partnership between Canada and China following high-level meetings in Beijing, marking a significant reset in bilateral relations focused on energy, agri-food, trade, and global cooperation.
The visit, the first by a Canadian Prime Minister to China since 2017, included meetings with Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Following the talks, Prime Minister Carney and President Xi released a joint statement outlining the pillars of a renewed Canada–China strategic partnership.
Central to the agreement is expanded cooperation in energy, clean technology, and climate competitiveness. Both countries committed to scaling up investment in solar, wind, battery manufacturing, and energy storage while working to reduce emissions. Prime Minister Carney also met with senior Chinese business leaders to accelerate investment opportunities in Canada’s clean-energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Canada confirmed it will allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the Canadian market at a most-favoured-nation tariff rate of 6.1 percent. The government stated that this represents less than three percent of Canada’s annual new vehicle market and reflects import volumes prior to recent trade frictions. Officials expect the move to lead to new joint-venture investments in Canada within three years, strengthening the domestic EV supply chain and supporting auto manufacturing jobs. The agreement also anticipates that within five years, more than half of these vehicles will be affordable EVs priced below $35,000.
Agri-food and trade were also a major focus of the discussions. China remains Canada’s second-largest export market, and both sides reached a preliminary agreement to ease trade barriers. By March 1, 2026, China is expected to reduce tariffs on Canadian canola seed to approximately 15 percent, down from current combined levels of around 85 percent. Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crabs, and peas are expected to be exempt from certain discriminatory tariffs through at least the end of 2026. Canadian officials estimate the measures could unlock nearly $3 billion in new export orders.
Canada has set a target to increase exports to China by 50 percent by 2030, with growth expected in clean energy, agri-food, wood products, and technology-driven industries. Both countries reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and agreed to deepen cooperation on global governance, climate competitiveness, and financial stability. Canada confirmed its participation in China’s 2026 APEC Presidency and welcomed China’s support for Canada’s bid to host the 2029 APEC Summit.
The two governments also agreed to strengthen cooperation on public safety, including efforts to combat narcotics trafficking, cybercrime, synthetic drugs, transnational crime, and money laundering. Cultural and people-to-people exchanges will be expanded through partnerships supporting museums, artists, digital creators, and tourism.
Prime Minister Carney welcomed new initiatives to boost tourism to Canada, including cooperation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26™, and confirmed President Xi’s commitment to introduce visa-free travel for Canadians visiting China.
In a statement following the meetings, Prime Minister Carney said the renewed partnership builds on the strongest elements of the Canada–China relationship while reflecting current global realities and shared economic interests. He is expected to return to China later this year for the 2026 APEC Leaders’ Summit.