Mark Carney in China (Image Credit: Global)

By Michael Reeve

CANADA CHINA TRADE DEAL

‘Finding balance’; TRU professor sees positive impact from latest trade talks with China

Jan 20, 2026 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, sitting behind just the United States but by a large margin.

Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney was in Beijing working to rebuild the relationship between the two countries, striking deals around visa-free travel, electric vehicles and canola. TRU Associate Professor of Political Science Robert Hanlon called the move ‘a reset.’

“It’s a beginning of a dialogue on a framework,” explained Hanlon. “It’s just trying to get back to the table and find what we can do with our second-largest economy. I think the time was right and we need to find ways to new markets, especially in the current geo-economic and political environment.”

The move from Carney has drawn criticism from his opponents across the aisle, questioning the idea of moving closer to China in the wake of turbulence with in the Canada-U.S. relationship.

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Hanlon doesn’t see China replacing or undermining the relationship with the U.S.

“We can do many things at the same time and that includes having a relationship with China as well as the United States,” said Hanlon. “But it is about finding balance and ensuring that we are protecting Canadian interests, still voicing Canadian values and staying competitive in this market. Even Trump said he didn’t blame Canada for getting a deal with China, that in fact we should go get a deal with China. It’s very common and normal behaviour for a government to try to repair that relationship and it’s good to see.”