As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Li Keqiang wrap up the first official visit of a Chinese leader to Canada since 2010, members of the business community say that although China might not be flawless in terms of environmental regulations and human rights, now is the time to forge closer ties with what will arguably be the world’s most influential economy in coming decades.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada and China have embarked on exploratory talks towards a potential free trade agreement between the two countries.
The Chinese leader expressed the willingness of his nation to import frozen beef, while Trudeau commented on the agreement reached by the two parties on exports of canola from the northern territory to the Asian giant.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang saw Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in China just last month.
Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, elected previous year, is trying to improve ties and increase trade with the world’s second-largest economy after a decade of rocky relations under his Conservative predecessor, the news agency said.
It was announced that Canadian canola will continue to be exported to China under the current level of dockage, while additional disease research is conducted.
Polls regularly show a majority of Canadians do not back the idea of a free trade treaty, in part because of China’s human rights record.
Trudeau defended the move Wednesday as the Conservatives and NDP said China’s frequent use of the death penalty, among other things, made it a bad candidate for an extradition treaty with Canada.
China is now Canada’s second largest trading partner.
Trudeau hosted Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Canada this week for trade talks, and brought him to the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday.
“Canada should stand on this particularly with China, alone, instead of following some big brother”.
Trudeau has acknowledged that the two countries are engaged in a high-level security dialogue, including the establishment of a controversial extradition treaty. “China and Canada must have win-win co-operation”.
Both leaders held a 90-minute meeting that was packed with officials from both countries, including several Canadian cabinet ministers.
He also reaffirmed Canada’s long-standing opposition to capital punishment. “There shall be no torture of the people concerned”, he vowed.
At this month’s G20, the two sides did announce the creation of annual meetings between the two sides to discuss security issues, as well as and economics. He added that what is more important is to manage their differences, knowing that their common interests are more important.
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Li and Trudeau appeared at ease with each other. A source told the newspaper that principal secretary Gerald Butts and chief of staff Katie Telford were reimbursed for moving their families from Toronto to Ottawa.
