Canada and China restore strategic partnership after nine years

Friday 16 January 2026 - 10:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Canada and China restore strategic partnership after nine years

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where they announced the renewal of their strategic partnership. This development signals a major shift in bilateral ties strained by years of diplomatic friction.

The encounter marks the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017 and follows the sharp downturn triggered by the 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver. Relations hit lows with retaliatory detentions of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, mutual diplomatic expulsions, and escalating trade barriers, including Canada's 2024 tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum, met by Beijing's duties on Canadian canola, peas, and related products.

Xi framed the meeting as building on their initial talks at the APEC summit in South Korea last October, stating it opens a new chapter in Sino-Canadian relations. Carney expressed delight at forging a partnership suited to today's global realities, one that draws on past strengths to deliver stability, security, and prosperity. Xinhua reported Xi urging both nations to advance ties with responsibility toward history, their peoples, and the world.

The visit yielded agreements on energy, agriculture, food security, culture, and tourism. Carney highlighted expectations for China to cut canola seed tariffs to around 15 percent by March 1, while suspending duties on canola meal, lobsters, crabs, and peas through year-end, easing a key agricultural dispute.

Observers link this thaw to external pressures, particularly from the Trump administration's protectionism. With 75 percent of its exports heading to the U.S., Canada faces tariffs and annexation rhetoric, prompting renewed outreach to China's vast market. Beijing seeks G7 collaboration amid U.S. sanctions. While Ontario Premier Doug Ford opposes easing EV tariffs, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe joined Carney in Beijing to advocate for agricultural relief.

Carney positioned these steps as advantageous in a new world order, emphasizing cooperation amid global divisions.