BEIJING (AP) — ON first trip Following the first visit by a Canadian leader to China in eight years, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that relations between the two countries are entering a new era.

Mr Carney, who became prime minister 10 months ago, is trying to: repair a tie China follows suit bitter years on issues ranging from Canada’s arrest of a Chinese tech executive in 2018 to Canada’s 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

He met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and welcomed the improvement in relations. Carney will meet with supreme leader Xi Jinping on Friday.

The Canadian government’s efforts to strengthen ties have taken on added urgency due to increased import tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. More than 75% of Canada’s exports go to the United States, and Governor Carney said: double canada’s exports In other countries in the next 10 years.

On Thursday, he met with several of China’s leading companies, including e-commerce giant Alibaba, state oil company China National Petroleum Corp. and electric vehicle battery producer CATL.

“We are ready to forge a new partnership, one that builds on the best of the past and responds to the challenges of today,” Carney wrote in a post on X after arriving in Beijing on Wednesday night.

Canada followed the United States in making the announcement. 100% customs duty Under Carney’s predecessor, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, tariffs of 25% were imposed on Chinese EVs and 25% on steel and aluminum starting in 2024.

China responded to this duties imposed 100% Canadian canola oil and meal, 25% pork and seafood. Last August, it imposed a 75.8% tariff on canola seeds. The industry group said the import tax effectively closed the Chinese market to Canadian canola exports.

China is hoping that President Trump’s tariffs and other pressure tactics on allies such as Canada will be effective. drive them to pursue A foreign policy more independent from the United States. Beijing has often accused the United States of rallying its allies to collude with China, especially under Trump’s predecessor, former President Joe Biden.

In late 2018, Canadian authorities detained Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou in response to a U.S. request to extradite her, infuriating China. China responded to this Two Canadians detained The pair were charged with espionage, and their relationship was clouded for more than two years.

According to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who is accompanying Prime Minister Carney on the tour, told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the prime minister looked forward to setting a course for developing relations and resuming dialogue on various fields.

In a statement, Mr. Wang described Mr. Carney’s visit as a turning point that is expected to open new prospects for relations.