Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to China and Switzerland later this month to build strategic partnerships, diversify Canada’s trade relationships and attract new investment as the government works to reduce reliance on the United States as a trading partner.
Carney will visit China from Jan. 13 to 17, marking the first visit to the country by a Canadian prime minister since 2017. He will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other government and business leaders to discuss trade, energy, agriculture and international security.
From Jan. 19 to 21, Carney will travel to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, where he will meet with government and business leaders and investors to deepen Canada’s economic partnerships.
China remains second-largest trading partner
China is Canada’s second largest single-country trading partner, with $118.7 billion in two-way merchandise trade in 2024. Canadian merchandise exports to China totalled $29.9 billion, while merchandise imports reached $88.8 billion.
The visit builds on Carney’s first official meeting with Xi in October 2026.
“At a time of global trade disruption, Canada is focused on building a more competitive, sustainable, and independent economy,” Carney said. “We’re forging new partnerships around the world to transform our economy from one that has been reliant on a single trade partner, to one that is stronger and more resilient to global shocks.”
Government aims to double non-U.S. exports
The government said it is working to double Canada’s non-U.S. exports and attract new investment as part of efforts to move the economy from reliance to resilience.
During the World Economic Forum meetings, Carney will position Canada as a destination for global capital and investment, emphasizing competitive advantages in natural resources, agriculture, energy and advanced technologies.
This will be Carney’s first official visit to China and his first participation in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting as prime minister.
