Carney, reaching trade deal with China, says country is more 'predictable' than U.S.

Q&A: Carney takes questions on cathay merchandise sell, EVs and certificate

Canada reaches tariff deal with China on EVs, canola

Canada's relationship with China 'more predictable' than relationship with U.S., PM says

The Breakdown | Carney talks trade in China

Carney meets Xi Jinping, hails progress in resetting trade with China

At Issue | Does Carney’s China reset come with risks?

‘A new era of our relationship:’ Carney, ministers meet with China’s premier in Beijing

Still, "I like some of the guardrails," he said. "Three-year review. Hard cap on those imports. And of course, any of those vehicles have to meet Canadian safety standards."

But Volpe stressed that the deal is at odds with a push to buy Canadian.

"The concern is we're mostly export-oriented, and we're trying to return to build Canada for Canada because, of course, we’ve got our friction, let's call it, with the Americans."

"So every single sale counts. It's much better to get that sale from a company that's manufacturing here, that's buying supplies here and employing Canadians here. Not a company that's importing under a different regime that has no Canadian content on it."

At Issue | Does Carney’s China reset come with risks?

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney goes to China to try and reset the relationship. Quebec Premier François Legault resigns after plummeting polls and mounting pressure. Plus, how concerned should Canada be about Trump’s Greenland ambitions?

This is Darren Bernhardt, a reporter in Winnipeg.

A canola farmer just north of here, near St. Andrews, says the tariff news has made him "definitely happier," but he's still cautious about how much it will impact the market.

"It's moving in the right direction. You have to deal without external forces as a farmer [so] the less you can have the better. So, to get rid of an international barrier, that's a huge help," said Curtis McRae, who farms about 600 hectares (roughly 1,500 acres) each year.

Some canola farmers had been preparing to reduce some canola production this spring and plant supplemental crops. McRae says he isn't sure if Friday's news will change those plans.

"There may be a shift between some crops, depending on how much this really does move the market," he said. "There is a better feeling though, that family farms aren't having to subsidize the likes of the giant auto manufacturers."

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has shared a message critical of the EV deal, warning that China now has a "foothold" in the Canadian market and will use it "at the expense of Canadian workers."

Writing that China will flood the Canadian auto market with cheaply made vehicles — with no guaranteed investments into the Canadian economy, he added — the premier also said it poses a risk to Canada's relationship with the U.S.

"Worse, by lowering tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles this lopsided deal risks closing the door on Canadian automakers to the American market, our largest export destination, which would hurt our economy and lead to job losses," he wrote on X.

Ford called on Carney to "step up" in support of Ontario’s auto industry, which has suffered in the wake of the trade war with the U.S.

The premier has been deeply critical of the Chinese electric vehicle industry, even claiming last year that Chinese automakers were using Mexico as a "back door" to bring EVs and car parts into Canada.

At least one Canadian automotive industry leader says he's "deeply concerned" about the deal Carney cut with China on electric vehicles.

"We have been clear that any sort of engagement with China on electric vehicles would be extremely risky at this period," said Brian Kingston, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association.

"The Canadian economy, the automotive industry, is deeply integrated with the United States. Securing a renewal of our trilateral trade agreement has to be the top priority, and engaging further with China at this time is putting that at risk."

Carney meets Xi Jinping, hails progress in resetting trade with China

After years of strained relations, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Carney hailed a tentative agreement with China to co-operate more on clean and conventional energy, but the Canada-China tariff dispute remains unresolved.

It's hard to overstate what a big shift this deal is; the relationship between Canada and China has been tense for years, and back-and-forth levies have been commonplace.

Vehicles in particular have been a sore spot, with the previous Liberal government slapping a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese-made EVs in 2024. China responded at the time with levies on agricultural products and seafood.

There is concern that by opening the door to Chinese-made vehicles, Canada will undermine its own automotive sector. But Carney says he's pursuing a relationship with China that's "adapted to new global realities" — namely, realities set by Trump.

Since becoming prime minister, Carney has emphasized the importance of diversifying Canada's trade away from the U.S. As Trump pursues an "America First" trade policy with his many tariffs, including those slapped on Canadian products. This deal offers yet another reminder of Trump's impact on the global stage — and the steps countries are taking to cope.

This week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reached an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping — a move that marks a major shift in Canada-China relations. Carney went as far as to say China has been "predictable" as of late and that talks with Beijing have been "reasonable and respectful."

Here are some key points from the deal:

The deal is still in its early days, but it highlights how countries are adapting to U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" approach to trade — something that seems top of mind for Carney.

When asked about co-operation with China, Carney called for a renewed relationship "adapted to new global realities."

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