Canadian Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy is visiting China from March 31 to April 4. Canadian Prime Minister Carney stated that this visit will promote “regular dialogue on a range of economic and financial issues.” The Canadian business community has voiced that this is an opportunity for both sides to revitalize cooperation, but Chinese scholars have also cautioned that economic and trade cooperation needs mechanisms for safeguards; what enterprises expect is a long-term, stable environment rather than just a temporary window period.
According to China’s Global Times, this visit builds upon Carney’s successful trip to China in January. As part of Canada’s diversification strategy, Bethlenfalvy will meet with Chinese political and business leaders to establish strategic partnerships and attract new investments.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported on March 30 that, due to uncertainties in Canada-US trade relations and US tariffs on various Canadian products, the Carney government has been seeking to diversify Canada’s trading partners. On March 30, Carney stated that Bethlenfalvy’s visit to China will advance “regular dialogue on a range of economic and financial issues.”
The Globe and Mail quoted Montreal Bank Financial Group Vice Chairman Tobin as saying that the visit will be welcomed by Canadian business circles and may open the door for Chinese investment in Canada. Tobin stated that China is an important trading partner for every country, and “now is the right time to revitalize cooperation.”
Zhou Mi, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, analyzed in an interview with the Global Times on March 31 that, based on complementary needs in economic factors, industrial structure, market supply and demand, and technical cooperation between China and Canada, the two countries’ economic and trade relations are expected to develop significantly.
As an example, Zhou Mi mentioned the electric vehicle industry, noting that Canada’s energy transition will further accelerate, driving the adjustment and optimization of charging infrastructure and related power generation capacity. Under the current circumstances, there are also opportunities for cooperation between China and Canada in the traditional energy sector.