Canada's PM Mark Carney Meets with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping in Beijing

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People.

Carney's visit marks the first visit by a Canadian Prime Minister to China in nearly a decade. He received an invitation to travel to China following conversations with President Xi at the ASEAN Summit in South Korea in the fall of 2025.

During the meeting, Carney praised President Xi and stated that the visit ushers in a new era of relations between Canada and China. He also expressed being “heartened” by President Xi's leadership and the progress in the relationship.

Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, indicated that China is seeking more Canadian energy. A memorandum of understanding was signed to increase cooperation on clean and non-renewable energy. The agreement recognizes the role of conventional energy in the energy transition.

Before meeting with government leaders, Carney pitched Chinese business leaders in clean tech, fintech, and energy to invest in Canada. He met with the heads of several Chinese businesses.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who is part of the delegation, sees the trip as an opportunity to find new areas of collaboration. China is Canada's second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling $118 billion in 2024.

Areas of Discussion

Trade, agriculture, and energy are expected to be key discussion points. Carney intends to address areas like artificial intelligence and critical minerals where Canada is hesitant to engage. The canola sector is hoping for progress in removing Chinese tariffs.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing has included a meeting with President Xi Jinping, discussions on energy cooperation, and meetings with business leaders. The visit signifies a potential recalibration of the Canada-China relationship.