China’s Ambassador Wang Di calls for more trade with Canada amid U.S. trade war, but Beijing Warns Canada against Using China as ‘Bargaining Chip’ with US

China would be open to free-trade talks with Canada, Beijing’s envoy says

Wang Di said China would be willing to consider negotiating a free-trade deal, but it would require changes in Canadian policies

China’s volume of trade with Canada is still increasing, despite the tense relations of recent years

Beijing’s ambassador to Canada says China is interested in stepping up trade with Ottawa, arguing the U.S. is pursuing a trade war that will hurt the global economy as it struggles to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wang Di says Washington should not force Canada to choose between the U.S. and China because that would further destabilize the global economy.

“Unilateralism and trade protectionism have brought more instabilities and uncertainties to the world economic recovery,” Wang told reporters Tuesday, through his embassy’s interpreter.

“The international community should stand up together against this kind of behaviour.”

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.

The event brought together companies doing business in China, including those dismayed at U.S. President Donald Trump leveraging tariffs against Canada, sometimes on the grounds of Ottawa’s trade surplus with Washington.

Wang noted that China’s volume of trade with Canada continues to increase, despite tense relations in recent years, with Chinese customs data showing a Canadian trade surplus.

“We don’t think the surplus is unfair,” he told the event in English, with a grin.

“I hope that companies between our two countries can enjoy a transparent, open and non-discriminatory business environment.”

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His comments came just days after China imposed a 100-per-cent tariff on Canadian canola and a 25 per cent levy on pork.

Wang stressed that these were countermeasures following the federal Liberals deciding last fall to follow 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.

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.

Wang told reporters he opposes “any country using China as a bargaining chip” in relations with other states, saying it’s up to Canada how it relates with Washington but suggesting it’s not a zero-sum game.

“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.

The federal Liberals entered negotiations with China in 2017 for a possible free trade deal, but the talks fell apart a year later, after Ottawa insisted on including language around labour, gender and environmental issues.

Months later, Ottawa’s relations with Beijing hit a nadir when Canada detained Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou at the request of the U.S., leading to the detainment of two Canadian citizens in China and various trade disruptions.

China celebrating the new year’s with an insane drones display

China celebrating the new year’s with an insane display
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At the same time,

Envoy Warns Canada Against Using China as ‘Bargaining Chip’ With US

China’s ambassador Wang Di warned the Canadian government against using it as a “bargaining chip” in trade negotiations with the US, but said it’s ready to pursue a bilateral free trade agreement if Canada removes barriers to Chinese investment.

Wang Di, who became Beijing’s representative in Ottawa last year, said in an interview that China firmly respects Canada’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the northern nation should be the 51st state.

“China is always willing to work together with the Canadian side, by following the principle of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences,” Wang said through an interpreter on Tuesday. “But China also opposes any country using China as a bargaining chip when it deals with other countries.”

China has criticized a clause in the US-Mexico-Canada-Agreement signed during Trump’s first term that requires members to notify each other if they enter into trade talks with a “non-market” economy. Recently, Canada has adopted a more hawkish view on investment and trade with China — announcing in August that it would essentially match the Biden administration’s higher tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, aluminum and steel.

Canada’s tariffs prompted China to enact retaliatory measures against Canadian canola, pork and seafood this month, causing major economic impacts in western Canada.

Canada has also curbed Chinese investment in critical minerals projects, banned Huawei from fifth-generation wireless networks and ordered ByteDance Ltd., the parent of TikTok, to close its Canadian subsidiary.

Canada’s trade actions against China haven’t inured it from US trade aggression. The Trump administration has already imposing 25% tariffs on a broad range of Canadian goods and threatening more in the coming days.

Wang said China and Canada have a good foundation for talks on a trade deal from the 2017 discussions. “But of course, to reach such an agreement, both sides need to work in the same direction toward the same goal,” he said, speaking inside the ornate Chinese embassy in Ottawa.

At the same time, Canada is increasing its capacity to sell energy to China. The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion allows greater oil exports to Asia and the LNG Canada project in British Columbia is set to open soon, enabling liquefied natural gas shipments to China.

China is interested in buying more oil and gas from Canada as long as it can offer good quality at a good price, Wang said. Canadian energy CEOs have visited the embassy to tell him they hope there will be more energy cooperation between the two countries, he said.

“But my answer to them is that you should not be working on me. You should be working on the Canadian government.”

‘Groundless Accusations’

Melanie Joly, Canada’s foreign minister

Talks on a free trade deal between Canada and China are unlikely as relations remain frosty. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said last week that China had executed four dual Canadian-Chinese citizens over drug crimes.

Wang said China’s actions were not driven by the individuals’ nationality. “As long as you have committed a crime in China, you will be treated in an equal way by the Chinese law,” he said.

He also dismissed claims by Canadian security officials this week that China, as well as other countries including India and Russia, may try to interfere in the federal election underway in Canada. These are “completely unjustified, groundless accusations,” Wang said.

Wang’s mission in Canada has been to find “win-wins” for both countries, and he’s seen progress — Joly and other officials from Global Affairs Canada have spoken with their Chinese counterparts multiple times, he pointed out.

“When I was having conversations with Canadian friends from all walks of life, all sectors here in Canada, I heard a strong voice that China and Canada should strengthen cooperation,” he said. “But unfortunately, at the same time, oftentimes we see some disrespect and smearing and attacking of China’s core interests.”

Stunning Drone Display in Chin: Wukong