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A “new era” in Canada-China relations

Perlina Rossi-Brown

2026-01-19 08:06:09

Credit: Getty Images

Following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Mark Carney has declared that a “new era” is opening up for Canada in its relations with the East Asian state. The purpose of the visit is to renew Sino-Canadian ties, after a diplomatic chill that has lasted almost a decade. From energy and agriculture to people-to-people links, multilateralism and security issues, Mark Carney talked about many things immediately after being welcomed to Beijing by Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

The signing of eight memoranda of understanding

On the first day of discussions, the two heads of state signed eight memoranda of understanding. In particular, they decided to strengthen their cooperation in the fields of clean energy and conventional energy through a non-binding agreement. In this memorandum of understanding, both parties recognize that conventional energy continues to play an important role in the energy transition. On the one hand, China plans to purchase more oil and liquefied natural gas. On the other hand, Canada is interested in Chinese green technologies for producing solar and wind energy.

“They are very clear: they want more Canadian products,” said Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson.

The Canadian delegation

In addition to Tim Hodgson, the ministers accompanying Mr. Carney, namely Mélanie Joly (Industry), Anita Anand (Foreign Affairs), Heath MacDonald (Agriculture), and Maninder Sidhu (International Trade), met with their Chinese counterparts. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is also part of the delegation, as his province, which produces 54% of Canada’s canola, has been particularly affected by the tariffs imposed by China on this product since August. Following these meetings, Canada and China also renewed memoranda of understanding on energy, British Columbia lumber, crime prevention, culture, and pet food safety.

Increase Canadian exports to China by 50%

Partly because of its southern neighbor destabilizing the world order, the Canadian government has set itself the challenge of doubling Canadian exports outside the United States and increasing them by 50% to China by 2030, reports Radio-Canada. By that same year, the government is also attempting to secure $1 trillion in new investments, particularly in the energy sector. Carney said he hopes that potential investments from China, Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the United States, will create good jobs in the country.

China wants to forge a "relationship of trust"

Mark Carney said the memoranda of understanding signed would form “the foundation of a new strategic partnership” with China. On the Chinese side, Premier Li Qiang emphasized his country’s desire to build a relationship of trust and collaboration with Canada. The two countries have therefore committed to “keeping channels of communication open” in an attempt to resolve the issue of tariffs on Canadian agricultural products through the Canada-China Joint Committee on Economy and Trade.