Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi: Canada's Exports to China Expected to Double

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is currently visiting Canada. During his meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, he stated that the established target for Canada's exports to China is expected to be surpassed by 2030, and with the development of China-Canada relations, exports could potentially double. After concluding his schedule at the UN Security Council in New York, Wang traveled to Canada on the 28th local time for a three-day visit. This is the first visit by a Chinese Foreign Minister to Canada in 10 years, and it is viewed by the outside world as an important interaction following the recent warming of diplomatic relations between China and Canada. According to Reuters, Wang arrived in Canada on the evening of the 28th and met with Anita Anand on the 29th. In the meeting, Wang stated that Canada's exports to China are expected to exceed original targets, not only increasing by 50% by 2030, but potentially growing by 100% as the relationship between the two countries continues to develop. Anand mentioned during the meeting that Canada is committed to promoting economic growth and diversifying its trade relations, and that the Canada-China economic relationship is of significant importance. A statement from Anand's office after the meeting mentioned that both sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including trade, human rights, and foreign interference, in a "frank and constructive" manner. Canada's previous goal was to increase overall exports to China by 50% by 2030, and China is currently Canada's second-largest trading partner. Wang's visit comes at a time when Canada is seeking to reduce its reliance on the US market, and against the backdrop of strained trade relations with Washington, Canada is actively promoting the diversification of its export markets. China and Canada have recently taken several measures to improve bilateral relations, including Canada lowering tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and China lowering import tax rates on Canadian canola (referred to as rapeseed in China). Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China this year in January and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Carney stated at the time that this visit reached a "milestone agreement." Carney is the first Canadian Prime Minister to visit China since 2017, and it is widely believed by the outside world that this visit has the significance of helping China-Canada relations emerge from a low point.