China's Premier Li: We are willing to promote the continuous improvement of bilateral relations with Canada to realize win-win results

China's Premier Li: We are willing to promote the continuous improvement of bilateral relations with Canada to realize win-win results

Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and Premier Li Qiang of China held a significant dialogue on June 5, 2025, focusing on bilateral relations and trade. The leaders exchanged views on the importance of engagement and agreed to regularize communication channels between the two nations [1][2][3][4][5][6].

During the conversation, Prime Minister Carney raised several trade irritants affecting agriculture and agri-food products, including canola and seafood, with Premier Li. The leaders also welcomed their trade ministers' meeting this week, during which Canada and China agreed to convene the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETC) at an early date to address outstanding trade issues [1][2][3][4].

In addition to trade, the leaders discussed the fentanyl crisis and committed their governments to working together to address this pressing issue. This commitment follows recent bilateral engagement on fentanyl and other opioids, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in combating the opioid crisis [1][2][3][4].

China's Premier Li emphasized the country's willingness to promote the continuous improvement of bilateral relations with Canada, aiming to achieve win-win results. This sentiment underscores the mutual desire to strengthen the economic and political ties between the two nations [1][2][3][4][5].

The dialogue comes at a critical juncture in Canada-China relations, which have been strained by a trade war that has negatively impacted Western Canadian farmers and seafood producers. The conflict was triggered by Ottawa's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products, which led to retaliatory tariffs from China on Canadian canola oil and meal, peas, and seafood [4].

The leaders' agreement to convene deputy-minister level talks to tackle the trade war is a step toward resolving the conflict. This move is part of broader efforts to repair the bilateral relationship, which has not yet recovered from a rupture more than six years ago when a Chinese tech executive was arrested at the request of the U.S. government [4].

The dialogue also reflects the broader geopolitical context, with the United States seeking help from allies including Canada in its competition with China. Last month, the U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for Ottawa's help in countering Chinese Communist Party influence in the hemisphere [6].

In an interview with The Globe and Mail, China's ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, urged Ottawa to end tariffs on Chinese EVs, warning against a "Cold War mentality." He noted that Chinese EV makers were previously interested in investing in Canada but had been discouraged by the 100-per-cent tariffs [4].

The European Union, which has also imposed tariffs on Chinese EVs, is currently in negotiations with Beijing to resolve its trade war. China's ambassador has made diplomatic inroads with one of the provinces hurt by Beijing's retaliatory tariffs, meeting with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and members of his cabinet [4].

The leaders' commitment to addressing the fentanyl crisis and improving bilateral relations underscores the potential for a more constructive and cooperative relationship between Canada and China. The dialogue marks a step forward in resolving the trade war and strengthening economic ties, with both sides striving for a win-win outcome [1][2][3][4][5].

References:
[1] https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/readout-prime-minister-carney-speaks-with-premier-of-china-li-qiang-810421429.html
[2] https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/readout-prime-minister-carney-speaks-031700042.html
[3] https://www.forexlive.com/news/canada-pm-carney-spoke-with-the-premier-of-china-li-qiang-20250606/
[4] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-carney-agrees-to-high-level-talks-with-beijing-on-resolving-canada/
[5] https://www.fxstreet.com/news/canadian-pm-carney-and-china-premier-li-discussed-trade-and-bilateral-relations-202506060309
[6] https://www.forexlive.com/news/xi-the-us-should-remove-negative-measures-on-china-20250605/