Wang Yi Says Canada Could Double Exports to China

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told Canadian officials that Canada could double its exports to China, surpassing the existing 50% growth target, during the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister to Canada in a decade. The three-day trip, which began on May 28, marks a significant milestone in the gradual thaw of bilateral relations that had soured following the 2018 Huawei dispute.

A Historic Diplomatic Reset

Wang Yi arrived in Ottawa on May 28 for his first visit to Canada since 2016, meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on May 29 and Prime Minister Mark Carney later that afternoon. The visit follows Carney’s own trip to Beijing in January 2026 — the first by a Canadian prime minister since 2017 — where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced an updated Canada-China Strategic Partnership.

According to the South China Morning Post, Wang stated during his meeting with Anand that Canada could surpass its goal of increasing exports to China by 50% by 2030, potentially reaching 100% growth if the relationship is maintained. Anand described the economic relationship as “significant,” while emphasizing that Canada would pursue this growth “while safeguarding Canada’s economic and national security interests and values.”

Trade Momentum and Economic Context

The diplomatic push comes amid a broader Canadian strategy to diversify trade away from the United States. Two-way bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and China reached $125.1 billion in 2025, a 5.2% increase over 2024, with Canadian exports to China hitting $34.4 billion — up 14.7% year-over-year, according to Global Affairs Canada.

In January, Canada and China struck an initial trade deal slashing tariffs on electric vehicles and canola, and Canada has been invited as the guest of honour country for the China International Import Expo (CIIE). Both sides also agreed to establish a China-Canada Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue mechanism and restart political and security consultations.

Tensions Beneath the Surface

The visit occurred just days after the Canadian frigate HMCS Charlottetown conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait on May 22-23, prompting China to state that it “firmly opposes any attempt by any country to undermine its sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation,” as reported by The Globe and Mail.

China’s ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, had warned in April that the renewed partnership would be harmed if Canada continued sending warships through the Taiwan Strait. Conservative MP Michael Chong further tested the relationship by visiting Taiwan in May, defying China’s warnings.

Expert Perspectives

Former Canadian diplomat Gordon Houlden, director emeritus of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, described Wang Yi as “all business and a reliable transmitter” of Canada’s views to Chinese leadership, according to BNN Bloomberg. “Xi Jinping is not spending every day, not even every week, thinking about Canada. These things need to be pushed forward,” Houlden said.

Guy Saint-Jacques, former Canadian ambassador to China, assessed that bilateral relations are “very close to returning to the level before the Meng Wanzhou incident,” while cautioning that Wang would maintain a tough posture on human rights issues.

Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada described Canada’s approach as a dual-track strategy: deepening economic engagement while standing firm on national security. “We have to advance multiple objectives at the same time,” she told The Globe and Mail.

What’s Next

Wang Yi’s visit concludes on May 30, with both sides expected to announce further details on the new dialogue mechanisms. The Chinese foreign minister is also scheduled to chair a UN Security Council meeting during his North America trip. With Canada preparing for Carney’s expected visit to China for the APEC leaders’ summit later this year, the trajectory of Canada-China relations appears set for continued engagement — though the underlying tensions over Taiwan, human rights, and foreign interference remain unresolved.