Canada has no plans to pursue a free trade agreement with China, senior Canadian official Mark Carney said, responding to renewed tariff threats from former US President Donald Trump. The statement underscores Ottawa’s cautious trade stance as geopolitical tensions and economic nationalism continue to shape global commerce.
Carney made it clear that Canada’s trade priorities remain aligned with trusted partners and existing agreements, particularly the United States and other allies. His comments come after Trump warned that he would impose sweeping tariffs on countries engaging in trade practices he views as harmful to US economic interests, including closer trade ties with China.
“Canada’s approach to trade is grounded in fairness, transparency, and security,” Carney said, adding that any future agreements would need to reflect Canada’s values and strategic interests. He emphasized that there are currently no discussions underway with Beijing regarding a bilateral free trade deal.
Canada-China relations have remained strained in recent years due to diplomatic disputes, security concerns, and differing approaches to global trade rules. Analysts say the latest remarks signal that Ottawa is unwilling to risk further friction with Washington, its largest trading partner, especially amid uncertainty over potential US trade policy shifts.
Trade experts note that while China remains a major global economic player, Canada is likely to focus on diversifying trade through existing frameworks and strengthening ties with like-minded economies rather than pursuing new agreements with Beijing.
The statement reinforces Canada’s balancing act between safeguarding economic interests and navigating an increasingly polarized global trade environment.
