Xi Jinping Extends Invitation to Canada’s Prime Minister
Chinese President Xi Jinping asked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to come to China. This is the first time the two countries’ leaders have met in person since 2017. The conversation took place at the APEC meeting in South Korea, which shows that diplomatic relations are becoming better after years of animosity.
Xi was hopeful about the recent improvement in ties between the two nations and said that both sides should “get back on the right track.” He said that the positive trend was due to everyone working together, even if there had been problems in the past that had stopped diplomatic contact.
Relations Between China and Canada Slowly Begin to Thaw
Relations between Beijing and Ottawa got much worse in 2018 after a top Huawei official was arrested in Vancouver. China responded by arresting two Canadians, which caused one of the greatest rifts between the two countries in decades.
Xi and Carney’s fresh talks imply a careful attempt to bring back cooperation in the face of bigger changes in trade. Both presidents agreed that “constructive and pragmatic dialogue” is important for solving problems and rebuilding trust.
Trade Tensions Deepen Under Trump’s Expanding Tariff Policies
The US’s continuous trade battles have had a big effect on both China and Canada, putting them both under the same tariff pressures. Donald Trump’s government is still putting tariffs on steel, canola, and other manufactured commodities in both markets.
Canada hiked taxes on steel imports that contained elements from China by 25% in July, saying it was unfair competition. Beijing raised the customs tariff on Canadian canola shipments to 75.8%, making commerce between the two countries even more tense.
Recommended Article: JD Vance Warns of Air Travel Disaster as US Shutdown Worsens
APEC Summit Highlights Shifting Global Trade Dynamics
Xi and Carney met while APEC was having larger talks on how to bring back economic stability to Asia. Xi also talked to Japan’s incoming prime minister separately, which shows how engaged China is in diplomacy in the area.
Carney told the delegates that the “old world” of free trade has been replaced by “fragmented protectionism.” He talked a lot about how Canada might become an energy superpower, especially when it comes to sending liquefied natural gas to Asian markets.
Xi Seeks Stability Amid Trump’s Escalating Tariff Strategy
Trump slapped new tariffs on Canadian goods even though tensions between Beijing and Washington had eased for a short time. He said Canada was behind a “fake” anti-tariff campaign, which made economic ties with North America much worse in public.
Xi also said again that he wants to stabilize global supply chains by keeping rare earth shipments going and buying more U.S. soybeans. The average tax on Chinese imports to the United States, on the other hand, is still high at 47% overall.
Japan’s New Premier Engages in Cautious Talks With China
Xi’s next meeting with Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, was another important step in regional diplomacy. Takaichi, who is known for being tough on China, said she wanted to promote “mutual understanding and cooperation” with Beijing.
Xi told Takaichi that China wants to build solid, productive relationships that meet the needs of the “new era.” Japanese policymakers are nonetheless cautious of China’s military growth, especially in areas that are in dispute, such as the Senkaku Islands.
Security and Economic Interests Define Japan-China Dialogue
Takaichi said again in her policy speech that Japan aims to raise defense expenditure to 2% of GDP sooner than expected. Beijing didn’t like the choice since it saw it as a provocation in an already difficult situation in the region.
Even if they didn’t agree, Japanese businesses pushed their officials to make sure that rare earth elements kept coming from China without any problems. Analysts said the discussion was cold but practical, and they pointed out that both countries care about long-term stability in the area.
Regional Diplomacy Signals Gradual Recalibration in Asia
Experts say that these discussions are part of China’s larger plan to regain power in the face of a growing trade war with the U.S. Professor Yee Kuang Heng said that Xi and Takaichi don’t get along very well personally, but their shared interests are more important than their differences.
Xi’s invitation might be a turning moment for Canada after years of diplomatic problems and economic wars. In the end, the APEC meeting showed that the Asia-Pacific nations still agree that stability is more important than conflict.
