An NDP member of Parliament who has been a target of Chinese foreign interference says the federal government should be cautious as it tries to mend its trade relationship with Canada’s second-largest trading partner. Read More
Jenny Kwan said she is an “evergreen target” of interference from Beijing and noted the Chinese government has tried to threaten and intimidate other Canadians.
Jenny Kwan said she is an “evergreen target” of interference from Beijing and noted the Chinese government has tried to threaten and intimidate other Canadians.
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An NDP member of Parliament who has been a target of Chinese foreign interference says the federal government should be cautious as it tries to mend its trade relationship with Canada’s second-largest trading partner.
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Jenny Kwan said she is an “evergreen target” of interference from Beijing and noted the Chinese government has tried to threaten and intimidate other Canadians.
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“The Trump administration is threatening our sovereignty through tariff attacks. India and China and other countries are threatening our sovereignty and our democracy through foreign interference,” Kwan said.
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Sunrise
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Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has moved to thaw relationships with both India and China since taking office.
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Carney met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the UN on Tuesday for what he called a constructive discussion on trade.
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The Prime Minister’s Office said the pair talked about efforts to revitalize the trade relationship and acknowledged “sensitivities” on certain trade files, including canola, seafood and electric vehicles.
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Last October, Canada imposed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs, along with levies on batteries, solar panels and a number of other goods, mirroring actions by the United States.
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There has been a series of escalating trade actions since then, resulting in punishing tariffs on Canadian canola seed, oil and meal ranging from 76 to 100 per cent, and on pork, fish and seafood products.
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Canada also imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum as part of a suite of protectionist measures in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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Rob Oliphant, the parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, told reporters Wednesday that Canada “needs a strong relationship with every trading partner.”
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“The reality is any relationship with China will be important, with eyes wide open,” he said before a Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa.
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At a press conference in New York on Tuesday, Carney told reporters he expects to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping “at the appropriate time.”