Prime Minister Mark Carney shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Gyeongju, China, in October, 2025. Justin Trudeau was the last Canadian prime minister to visit Beijing in December, 2017.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Jacob Cooke is the chief executive of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, a Beijing-based firm that advises global brands in Asian markets.
Prime Minister Mark Carney could consider a slight diversion on his trip to Beijing.
On the frozen ponds of Chaoyang Park or on Houhai lake, Mr. Carney would see thousands of Beijing residents ice skating, many decked out in Canada Goose, Moose Knuckles or Arc’teryx. He would see games of shinny, with players sporting NHL jerseys and gear from Bauer or CCM. Winter sports have been booming in China in the wake of the 2022 Olympics. Mr. Carney might be tempted to lace up the skates himself.
He might also pass a Tim Hortons or two – China has over 1,000 Tims across more than 90 cities. In China, Tims’ stores use hockey sticks as door handles and staff wear red plaid shirts.
This country’s image is popular in China. The Canadian lifestyle and its association with nature and healthy living sells in the Chinese market.
This is why, after a decade of tensions, Mr. Carney’s trip to Beijing this week offers a long-awaited opportunity to reset the tenor of the Canada-China relationship.
That would be a breath of fresh air for Canadian business.
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The last visit to Beijing from a Canadian prime minister came in December, 2017, when Justin Trudeau’s quixotic efforts to secure a so-called “progressive” trade agreement with China fell through. A year later, the bilateral relationship hit a new low with the detentions of Meng Wanzhou and the “two Michaels.” Diplomatic and trade tensions have persisted beyond the resolution of that crisis in late 2021.
This time around, Mr. Carney should sideline ideological differences and pursue deeper economic co-operation with China – our second-largest trading partner and the world’s second-largest economy.
There is a slate of specific trade issues for Mr. Carney and his team to raise in Beijing this week, starting with Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola, seafood and pork.
Another sector receiving less attention is pet food. According to WPIC’s internal data, China’s pet sector grew by 19 per cent in 2025. Dog and cat ownership is soaring among young adults, driving demand growth for premium imported pet food. However, market access for Canadian-made pet food is heavily restricted. Many Canadian pet food brands have relocated manufacturing to the U.S., where plants are approved for export to China.
Securing fair market access for these Canadian exporters and others means supporting Canadian jobs.
But beyond these specific aims, the most important outcome of this week would be for Mr. Carney to drop the confrontational approach that has defined Canada’s recent policy toward China.
Facing U.S. tariffs, strained growth at home and a volatile geopolitical landscape, it is simply untenable for Canada to maintain that approach. If played right, Mr. Carney’s trip can serve as a symbolic turning point.
Many of Canada’s peers on the international stage – think Australia, Britain, France, Germany – have been pursuing improved relations with China, undertaking leader-level visits and expanding economic co-operation. Right now, there are signs of a relative reprieve in U.S.-China tensions, with U.S. President Donald Trump set to visit Beijing in April. Mr. Carney may have space to strengthen Canada-China ties without agitating the United States.
Ultimately, we don’t need to agree with China on everything to do more business with it. Canadian companies have largely succeeded in China over the past decade, with many sectors insulated from diplomatic tensions.
Canada’s energy, minerals and forestry exports to China have grown steadily. Canadian brands are thriving in China across a range of categories, such as beauty and personal care, vitamins, apparel, sports equipment and baby care. Chinese industrial buyers and consumers want what Canada is selling.
But there is so much untapped trade potential, and diplomatic tensions have created risk.
From Beijing’s perspective, Canada has been “elbows up” against China for a decade. Most Canadian officials would contest that framing, but the reality is that Canada’s GDP is comparable with that of Guangdong province, and we don’t even crack the list for China’s top 10 trading partners. We stand to gain little from navel-gazing or arguing over who dropped their gloves first. Instead, Canada should seek a middle ground where we deepen engagement while maintaining guardrails.
Mr. Carney appears committed to increasing trade and reducing friction. His trip comes on the heels of his October meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, and several ministerial visits to China over the past year and a half.
Whether or not specific trade issues are immediately resolved, this week’s trip can be a success if it marks the beginning of a more stable, pragmatic and prosperous Canada-China relationship.