Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to raise foreign interference with Chinese President Xi Jinping as Ottawa pursues closer economic ties with Beijing while working to reduce reliance on the United States.
Carney said he would raise the importance Canada attaches to “non-interference in our affairs by China and other countries.” Reuters reported that the leaders plan to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen.
Canadian intelligence’s assessment that China interfered in two Canadian elections — in 2019 and 2021 — was heard during a 2024 inquiry, Reuters reported. Carney said in April 2025 that China was among the most serious foreign interference threats. Beijing continues to reject allegations that it has interfered in Canadian politics.
Economic outreach follows an extended period of strained relations between Canada and China. EconoTimes previously covered Carney’s view that Canada could wait for another U.S. administration to reach a trade deal. After Carney’s visit, China announced in February that it would pause some duties on Canadian agricultural products linked to the trade dispute.
Reuters reported that Carney plans to meet Xi on the APEC summit’s sidelines in Shenzhen on Nov. 18-19.
