According to the website of the Chinese Embassy in Canada, on October 10, Ambassador Wang Di of China to Canada accepted an interview with the host of the political program "In the Moment" of the Canadian television station "CTV". The following is the full transcript of the interview:

"In the Moment": Ambassador, it's a pleasure to have you back on "In the Moment". Thank you for taking the time to be interviewed.

Ambassador Wang Di: Thank you for inviting me again.

"In the Moment": I would like to first talk about the main friction between the two countries, that is, Canada's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and China's tariffs on Canadian canola and other agricultural products. My question is straightforward. Do you think China's tariffs on Canadian agricultural products are directly related to Canada's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles?

Ambassador Wang Di: The issue you mentioned is indeed the crux of Sino-Canadian trade relations. I agree with your statement. The tariffs China has imposed on Canadian agricultural products are a countermeasure against Canada's unilateral discriminatory tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products. I have also stated many times that if Canada corrects its approach, China's measures will naturally be adjusted.

"In the Moment": Does this mean that if Canada removes the tariffs on electric vehicles from China, China will also remove the tariffs on Canadian agricultural products?

Ambassador Wang Di: If Canada removes its unilateral discriminatory measures against China, China will naturally make corresponding adjustments. If Canada removes the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, China will also remove the tariffs on the relevant products from Canada.

"In the Moment": Canada has always believed that its tariffs on Chinese products have valid reasons, although China does not think so. You previously said that China and Canada can expand bilateral relations based on the actual interests of both sides. Now China is using the fact that China is the largest export market for canola as a means of retaliation. In this case, is it naive for Canada and China to develop their relationship?

Ambassador Wang Di: The essence of bilateral trade is mutual benefit and win-win. For decades, Sino-Canadian trade cooperation has achieved fruitful results. If we look back at history, we will find that all these achievements have been made on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. The current contradictions and differences between China and Canada on tariff issues are not initiated by China. There is a Chinese saying, "He who tied the bell must untie it." In this matter, it should not be blamed on China. This problem lies with Canada, and Canada needs to first correct its discriminatory measures, and China will naturally adjust accordingly.

"In the Moment": I understand your point, and I know that it was the Canadian government that first imposed tariffs on electric vehicles. I would like to point out again that the previous Canadian government gave many reasons for implementing these tariffs, including national security, protection of domestic industries, and alignment with U.S. policies, etc. I understand your statement, and I am not trying to blame any party. Now, the Canadian government's policy is to promote bilateral and economic relations with China. Canola is a good example. Canadians believe that canola should be mainly exported to China, but China has taken advantage of this to hurt us at our most vulnerable point. My question is, in this situation, should Canada still pursue a better relationship with China?

Ambassador Wang Di: As I just told you, the nature of trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win. As long as we promote bilateral trade cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win, such trade cooperation will certainly improve. However, if you violate this spirit and only pursue your own interests at the expense of the other party's interests, such trade cooperation, whether with China or with any other country, cannot last long.

"In the Moment": I would like to talk about another area where the two countries can cooperate mutually. Now there are many discussions in Canada about exporting more traditional energy resources such as oil and natural gas to China. For example, people are debating whether to build a second oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia. If Canada could double its oil production, would China have a market demand?

Ambassador Wang Di: Energy cooperation has become a new growth point in Sino-Canadian trade. I have specifically looked into it, and since the expansion of the Canadian Trans Mountain Pipeline, China has imported more than 1 million tons of crude oil from Canada every month, reaching 1.56 million tons in June alone this year. In the first eight months of this year, China's crude oil imports from Canada have already exceeded the total of last year, reaching 9.7 million tons.

I have also heard a statement that in the near future, China's annual imports of crude oil from Canada could reach 22 million tons. Similarly, China's imports of natural gas from Canada have significantly increased. Experts also estimate that in the near future, China's annual imports of natural gas from Canada could reach 3 million tons. However, I want to tell you a number: China is a major consumer and importer of crude oil and natural gas globally. Last year, China imported 550 million tons of crude oil and nearly 80 million tons of natural gas. Compared with our annual import figures, the numbers we currently import from Canada are small. I think there is still great potential for Sino-Canadian cooperation in the energy field.

"In the Moment": Does China have the intention to purchase more Canadian crude oil?

Ambassador Wang Di: China encourages Chinese companies to carry out more cooperation with Canada in energy trade, including in the investment field. As long as Canadian crude oil has sufficient market competitiveness, the door of the Chinese market will be open to Canada.

"In the Moment": Okay, my questions are over. Ambassador, as always, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you very much for accepting this interview.

Ambassador Wang Di: Thank you.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560643914617733683/

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