Chinese Foreign Minister Says Canada Could Double Exports to China During Rare Visit

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China's Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said on Friday that Canada could surpass its target of increasing exports to China by 50 per cent by 2030 during talks with Anita Anand.

During the meeting, Wang stated that he believes Canadian exports to China could increase by as much as 100 per cent, citing what he described as growing momentum in relations between the two countries.

"Canada is ⁠focused on growing our economy and diversifying our trading relationships," Anand said during the meeting. "The Canada-China economic relationship is significant," she said.

Wang is on a three-day visit to Canada — the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister in a decade and the latest step in efforts to improve relations between the two countries.

On Friday afternoon, Wang met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, shaking hands ahead of a private meeting.

Canada and China reached a preliminary trade agreement in January aimed at reducing tariffs on electric vehicles and canola, during Carney’s visit to China — the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017.

China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, and Carney has sought to reduce Ottawa’s heavy economic dependence on the United States after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, one of Washington’s longstanding allies.

Amid the continuing trade dispute with the United States, Carney has pledged to double Canadian exports to alternative markets over the next decade and has signed more than 20 economic and security agreements during the past year.

Source: Reuters



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