On November 16, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Canadian Minister of International Trade Mary Ng in Lima, Peru. The two sides conducted pragmatic and candid discussions on China-Canada economic and trade relations and other issues related to their respective concerns.

Wang Wentao stated that China has been Canada’s second-largest trade partner for many years consecutively, and economic and trade cooperation has been a major driver of bilateral relations. The two sides should work together to manage and facilitate the solution of differences in bilateral economic and trade relations, which is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples.

Wang Wentao pointed out that Canada has taken discriminatory restrictions against Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminium products, and has continuously tightened foreign investment reviews targeting Chinese businesses, posing severe challenges to China-Canada economic and trade relations. Canada should take concrete actions to reasonably define the boundaries of national security and build a sound environment for China-Canada economic and trade cooperation. China applauds Canada’s reaffirmation of support for the multilateral trade system and its firm commitment to upholding free trade principles and the WTO rules. China hopes that Canada could work with all parties to oppose unilateralism and protectionism.

Mary Ng stated that Canada attaches importance to economic and trade relations with China and is willing to maintain open communication channels with China at different levels to facilitate the solution of respective concerns in a constructive way. Canada supports China’s role as the host of APEC in 2026 and stands ready to work with China and all parties to ensure the success of APEC in 2026.