Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed to launch a new strategic partnership. Carl Bildt, former Swedish PM, regards this as a positive development: “Has the time come for the EU to do the same? We EU have to look, with new eyes, on our global relationships” .
The meeting, which took place in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, January 17, is the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to China in eight years.
According to a joint statement released after the meeting, both countries reaffirm the principles of their relations and welcome the progress made in recent dialogues. The leaders decided to revive the high-level economic and financial dialogue between China and Canada to strengthen economic ties, China Daily reports.
Xi Jinping stressed the importance of mutual respect, trust, and cooperation for common development, noting that sound relations between China and Canada are in the interests of both peoples and contribute to world peace and stability.
Mark Carney, who took office as prime minister after the 2025 election, emphasised the long history of friendly relations and strong economic complementarity between the two countries. He expressed Canada’s desire to build a strong and sustainable partnership that benefits the people of both nations.
Canada also reaffirmed its commitment to the One China policy and pledged to work with China in mutual respect to expand cooperation in the economy, trade, energy, agriculture, finance, education, and climate change.
Trade between China and Canada exceeded C$117 billion (approximately US$84.2 billion) in 2024, underscoring the solid foundation of their economic relations. Both sides are committed to expanding bilateral trade, strengthening mutual investment, and deepening cooperation in various sectors, while stressing the importance of a fair and open business environment.
Relations between the countries have improved since Xi and Carney first met on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in South Korea in October last year, where they agreed to resolve specific economic and trade issues.
Under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership, relations suffered setbacks, including trade friction in 2024 when Canada imposed tariffs on Chinese electric cars and metals, followed by Chinese countermeasures.
Does Carl Bildt want to navigate in a multipolar world?
Swedish politician and former foreign minister Carl Bildt has commented positively on the development. In a post on X, Bildt wrote that Canada’s “recalibration” of its relationship with China is interesting and likely influenced by US policy under President Trump.
Carl Bildt on X, January 18, 2026:
Carl Bildt asks whether it is time for the EU to do the same and urges the European Union to take a fresh look at its global relations. Bildt’s view highlights that the EU should follow Canada’s example in seeking to build better relations with China in order to navigate a multipolar world.
Analysts such as Anthony Moretti, associate professor at Robert Morris University, describe Carney’s visit as crucial for Canada, which is grappling with pressure from Washington’s policy shifts. He believes that the prime minister must demonstrate thinking beyond black and white and embrace a multipolar world free from Cold War mentality.
The new partnership between China and Canada is seen as a step towards multilateralism, with both sides committing to strengthening communication within frameworks such as the UN, G20 and APEC to address global challenges.
In 2025, Carl Bildt published the book “What Happens Now?” about the new uncertain times. The book summarises the new geopolitical situation, which is changing faster than ever:
“An uncertain and unreliable United States. An increasingly powerful China. Add to that the climate crisis and AI, and the world is facing completely new conditions – with Europe at risk of falling behind.”
By T. Sassersson
Sources
- China Daily: China, Canada eye new partnership
- Carl Bildt on X: statement 18 January 2026