OTTAWA, Jan 7 (Reuters) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit China January 13-17, his office said on Wednesday, in what will be the first visit by a Canadian prime minister since 2017.
Carney is trying to diversify Canada’s exports away from its main market, the United States, as Canada faces uncertain trade policy from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The visit aims to increase engagement on trade, energy, agriculture and international security, Carney’s office said. China is Canada’s second biggest trading partner.
China announced preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola imports in August, a year after Canada said it would levy a 100% tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles.
Carney had agreed to visit China after meeting with President Xi Jinping in South Korea in October.
Carney has previously stressed the need to restart broad engagement with China after years of worsening ties.
Canada’s agriculture minister said in November his weeklong trip to China was evidence of bilateral relations beginning to thaw, something desperately needed by Canada’s farmers and canola exporters.
(Reporting by Maria Cheng; Writing by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Franklin Paul)
