Canada considers China trade challenges as Trudeau heads overseas
Posted December 2, 2017 8:31 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will not be talking about a free trade deal when he visits China for four days in the coming week.
“There are a number of considerations still to be had. The government is weighing the challenges and opportunities,” a government official who briefed journalists on Friday said when asked about the possibility of Trudeau launching trade talks in Beijing.
Trudeau will meet Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and will also have discussions with senior Canadian and Chinese executives.
China is anxious to start formal free trade negotiations after several rounds of exploratory talks, but the official says Canada is still assessing its position.
The government recently released the results of consultations with more than 600 businesses, academics and civil society groups. Some of those surveyed warned that a pact with China could kill Canadian jobs, including in manufacturing.
“The trip has to be understood as an ordinary trip in extraordinary times,” said Paul Evans of the Institute of Asian Research at UBC. However, the visit is essential, he added, because Trudeau committed to yearly leaders’ meetings when he decided to ramp up relations with China.
Accompanying Trudeau for two days of the trip will be Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. In a statement, her office says the goal is to “seek further cooperation with Chinese leaders, on climate change and clean growth.”
International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains and Bardish Chagger, small business and tourism minister, will also be on the trip with Trudeau for the entire duration.
