Chinese and Canadian officials meet in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, January 15, 2026/Xinhua Prime Minister Mark Carney’s […]
Chinese and Canadian officials meet in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, January 15, 2026/Xinhua
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to China from January 14 to 17 reset Canada’s relationship with Beijing after a decade of distance delineated by a range of bilateral irritants, from hostage diplomacy to tariffs to election interference. The trip, which produced Canada’s newest Strategic Partnership, also served as a prelude to Carney’s landmark speech in Davos the following week on the shifting world order. With many thanks to our contributors, we have a range of opinion and analysis on the implications of Carney’s China policy:
From Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada VP and Policy Contributing Writer Vina Nadjibulla, a piece on the big-picture implications of Carney’s China trip, including his bilateral with President Xi Jinping. “While others continue to delay or hope for a return to a more familiar order,” writes Nadjibulla, “Canada is testing whether a pragmatic, interest-driven approach can provide a workable foundation for an independent Canadian foreign policy.” Here’s Vina Nadjibulla with What Carney’s China Trip Really Signalled.
From Business Council of Canada VP Policy Michael Gullo, a look at how the new Canada-China energy pact formalized during the visit could boost Canada’s evolving energy sector. “Canada’s efforts to broaden its global customer base,” writes Gullo, “should complement, not undermine, the project of building a strong regional energy partnership within North America.” Here’s the BCC’s Michael Gullo with Why Mark Carney’s China Trip Matters to Canada’s Energy Future.
From Policy Columnist and Expert Group on Canada-US Relations Co-Chair Fen Hampson, the trade takeaways from the Carney visit, notably on Canadian canola and Chinese EVs. “By opening Canada’s door to Chinese EVs in exchange for lower Chinese tariffs on canola, peas and seafood, Carney has signalled that there is no more pussyfooting around Washington,” writes Hampson. “A new age of ‘strategic realism’ has arrived.” Here’s Fen Hampson with In China, Carney Just Hit ‘Code Red’ on Trade.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s news conference in Beijing, January 16, 2026
From Lynette Ong, Director of the China Governance Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, we have a look at the trade and wider economic implications of the trip, including from China’s perspective. “While Canada may be economically smaller than China, Ottawa should recognize that Beijing does not hold all the cards,” writes Ong. “In this evolving geopolitical environment, leverage and dependence run in both directions.” Here’s Lynette Ong with The China Deal: Amid Trump’s Weaponization of America, a Redefinition of Interests.
From Montreal Institute for Global Security Executive Director Kyle Matthews, a warning of the potential consequences of deeper engagement with China as a response to American instability. “The choice is not between Washington and Beijing,” writes Matthews. “It is between a future shaped by authoritarian leverage and one sustained by democratic cooperation.” Here’s Kyle Matthews with Trump is a Threat to Canada, but Trump is Not the Answer.
From Policy Editor and Publisher Lisa Van Dusen, a look at the meaning and systemic implications of Mark Carney’s pointed reference to the advent of the New World Order during his meeting with Premier Li Qiang. “The New World Order is not an abstract notion in the process of being refined on its way to a hashtag and a headquarters,” writes Van Dusen. Here’s Lisa Van Dusen with Trump, China and the Invariable Geometry of the New World Order.
With many thanks our Policy contributors, readers, supporters, and sponsors.
