Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s official visit to China aims to strengthen exchanges and explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries, said Martin Cauchon, vice president of the Canada-China Business Council (CCBC) in a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Beijing.
Cauchon, who is also former minister of justice and attorney general of Canada, emphasized the importance of Carney’s visit in the current geopolitical context, highlighting Canada's desire to re-engage with China.
"The fact that Prime Minister Carney is here in Beijing to meet his counterparts shows the willingness to re-engage with China. From a geopolitical perspective, and particularly for Canada, this visit is significant because it takes place in the context where Canada is the main neighbor of the United States. We are currently renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was normally expected to undergo revisions next summer; it seems we will instead be discussing renegotiation, leading to some uncertainty on that front.
Cauchon also noted Carney's ambition to double non-American exports over the next decade.
"This clearly imposes considerable international efforts to re-establish ties. This visit fits precisely into the context of renewing those ties. There is much to be done between Canada and China. Previously, we had extensive economic relations between the two. Now, I believe we are going to return to that path, which is positive and beneficial for both countries," he said.
Cauchon elaborated on the broader vision for cooperation between Canada and China.
"When Prime Minister Carney says he wants to engage pragmatically, that’s what it means. There will be targeted cooperation primarily focused on trade and the economy. But we can also have wonderful exchanges in the artistic, cultural, and educational fields. One important element that we often discuss is the environmental goals in both countries. We have our objectives; China has its objectives as well. We can definitely collaborate and working together on a bilateral basis. Obviously, we could discuss several other topics, such as the agricultural sector, which is currently affected by high tariffs on both sides. We could also discuss the electric vehicle sector, the canola sector, and more. I can only be pleased about that," said Cauchon, who is also a counsel at Prélia law firm.
Carney arrived in Beijing on Wednesday on a four-day official visit to China, marking the first trip to the East Asian country by a Canadian prime minister in eight years.
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