【By Observer News, Qi Qian】

According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and Bloomberg, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau is about to embark on an Asian tour, which is expected to include visits to Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. During this trip, he will attend the ASEAN Leaders' Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit from October 31 to November 1 in Gyeongju, South Korea.

On local time October 23, Canadian officials held a press briefing. Officials said that Trudeau is seeking to establish a "strategic relationship" with China, while also aiming to hold a meeting with Chinese leaders during the APEC Summit.

Bloomberg reported that Trudeau hopes to ease Sino-Canadian trade tensions and tries to alleviate the impact of Trump's tariff policies on the Canadian economy.

Canadian officials told reporters that the meeting between Chinese and Canadian leaders has not been confirmed yet, "We hope to hold a meeting and make corresponding plans... If possible, we hope to hold a meeting during the APEC." The officials also said that if this time fails, the G20 Summit in South Africa in late November would be another opportunity for a meeting.

One official said that Trudeau firmly believes in dialogue with everyone - he has already clearly defined the areas where China and Canada can cooperate and cannot cooperate, with the goal of promoting Canadian interests and creating good opportunities for Canadian industries.

Currently, White House Press Secretary Levitt has announced the schedule for US President Trump's Asian tour, including the expectation that Trump will meet with Chinese leaders during the APEC Summit.

Canadian officials also said that the Trudeau government has not arranged a bilateral meeting with Trump during the APEC Summit, but the two "will definitely meet" and maintain frequent communication. Trudeau previously stated that there is "a possibility" of reaching an inter-departmental tariff agreement between Canada and the US before the summit.

Trudeau speaking at an event on October 23, screenshot of video

Last year, the Canadian government followed the United States by imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, and 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. China has taken countermeasures, including imposing a 75.8% anti-dumping duty on Canadian canola in August this year.

China is Canada's second-largest trading partner after the United States. Canada is the world's largest exporter of canola, with exports of canola products to China approaching 5 billion CAD (approximately 3.63 billion USD) in 2024. Canadian media reported that the cost of Canadian canola exports immediately soared, causing losses of several thousand dollars per person for 40,000 canola farmers in western Canada.

Bloomberg reported that relations between Canada and China and India have become tense under the Trudeau government, and now the Trudeau government has been seeking to ease tensions with both countries. American protectionism has made Canada urgently need to promote the diversification of trade relations, and the tariffs imposed by China on Canadian canola, pork, and seafood have further exacerbated its economic difficulties.

The report mentioned that currently, the Trudeau government is reviewing the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, but faces a dilemma: if it continues to impose taxes, it may affect the process of improving Sino-Canadian relations; but if it cancels them now, it may jeopardize the upcoming "USMCA" review negotiations.

Bloomberg analyzed that abolishing the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles now could weaken Canada's negotiating position with the United States. This raises a question - Canada seeks agricultural import tax reductions, but what actual conditions can it offer to China.

Despite this, Trudeau said that he sees significant opportunities to expand energy and agricultural trade with China, and is optimistic about exporting more liquefied natural gas to Asia.

October 17, Wang Yi met with Anand in Beijing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

Earlier this month, Canadian Foreign Minister Anand visited China. She stated at her meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi that she welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Canada. Canada firmly supports multilateralism and is willing to closely coordinate with China on multilateral affairs, jointly safeguarding the status of the United Nations, and supporting free trade.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, on October 17, Wang Yi pointed out during his meeting with Anand that the current international situation is undergoing complex and profound changes, and unilateralism has seriously eroded the current international system. China is willing to work with Canada to strengthen communication and cooperation on multilateral affairs, jointly safeguard multilateralism, maintain the international trade and economic order, and promote the early entry of Sino-Canadian relations into a healthy, stable, and sustainable development track.

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