Beijing’s envoy calls for more trade with Canada as U.S. trade war continues
By Canadian Press on March 25, 2025.
OTTAWA — Beijing’s ambassador to Canada says China is interested in stepping up trade with Ottawa as the U.S. continues to pursue a global trade war.
Wang Di says Washington should not force Canada to choose between the U.S. and China because that would further destabilize the global economy.
At a trade promotion event today hosted by the Chinese embassy in Ottawa, Wang says China’s volume of trade with Canada is still increasing, despite the tense relations of recent years.
He also says China would be willing to consider a free-trade deal after talks on a possible agreement fell apart in 2018.
But he says that would only be possible if Canada withdraws various restrictions on Chinese trade – some of which Ottawa has implemented by citing national security.
While Beijing is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, Ottawa imposed a series of restrictions last fall on Chinese goods that triggered retaliatory tariffs last week on Canadian agricultural exports.
Those Canadian measures followed American restrictions on Chinese trade and Wang says he opposes “any country using China as a bargaining chip” in relations with other states.
“We believe that when one country is developing relations with another country, it should be beneficial and helpful to the relations of all countries among the international community, instead of sacrificing other countries’ interests,” Wang said through his embassy’s interpreter.
Last fall, the federal Liberals followed the U.S. in imposing 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electrical vehicles, citing the need to protect the North American auto market from unfair trade practices.
The government also enacted a 25 per cent tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum imports, after accusing Beijing of “abysmal” environmental and labour standards.
Last Thursday, China retaliated with a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola and a 25 per cent levy on pork.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 25, 2025.
Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
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We should be reducing trade with China and working towards only limited trade if any at all! China has been building up its military for the last 2 decades to enforce its plans to dominate the world. It has been poisoning us with opioids to weaken North America for taking it over and instead taking actions to cut the opioids coming from China or the precursors to make it or go after the organized gangs in China who make and transport it, they find some Canadians who are small players in the drug trade and execute them!
No . . . cut trade with China, not increase trade! And, find some other crops to grow instead of the Canola China wants but placed high tariffs on! Find new markets and walk away from China!