China insists its partnership with Canada does not target other countries, angering Trump

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun at a press conference in Beijing, Friday (23/1). / ANTARA / Desca Lidya Natalia.

JAKARTA - The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that China's partnership with Canada, which was achieved when Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China, was not aimed at other parties.

"China and Canada have built a new type of strategic partnership. This partnership does not target any third party, aims at the common interests of the peoples of the two countries, and supports world peace, stability, development, and prosperity," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press conference in Beijing, Monday, January 26.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday (25/1) said his country "has no intention" of pursuing a free trade agreement with China and reiterated that Ottawa remains committed to its obligations under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and will not proceed with any trade deal without going through the consultation process.

This was conveyed by Carney following Trump's upload on Truth Social on Saturday (24/1) who accused Carney of trying to make Canada a "transit port" for Chinese products, threatening to impose a 100% import tariff.

"If Canada makes a deal with China, Canada will immediately be subject to a 100 percent tariff on all Canadian goods and products entering the United States," he wrote on the Truth Social platform, Saturday (24/1).

"China believes that countries need to approach inter-state relations with a spirit of mutual benefit rather than a 'zero-sum' mentality, and through cooperation rather than confrontation," Guo Jiakun added.

Guo Jiakun said both China and Canada made several special arrangements to properly handle economic and trade issues between the two countries.

"This reflects the spirit of equality, openness and inclusiveness, peaceful cooperation and common benefits," said Guo Jiakun.

Canadian-American tensions escalated after Trump withdrew an invitation for Canada to join the Peace Council or Board of Peace after Carney's speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) warning of the dangers of economic coercion by major countries.

Although Trump previously supported Canada's efforts to explore trade relations with China, the US government now views Ottawa's "initial agreement" with Beijing as a risk to US trade security.

The Canadian and Chinese agreement was reached on January 16, 2025 during Carney's visit to China, which allowed 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter Canada each year at a tariff of 6.1 percent.

In return, Beijing will reduce tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports, including canola seed oil, from 85 percent to 15 percent starting March 1.

Other products, such as canola pods, lobsters, crabs, and peas from Canada, will be exempt from China's anti-dumping tariffs at least until the end of 2026.

Amid the escalation, Carney urged Canadians to support domestic businesses and called Canada's economy "under threat from abroad."

In a video message, he said his government was implementing a number of major initiatives, including the construction of millions of homes to improve affordability and the procurement of military equipment "that will protect Canadians and our sovereignty."

"We can't control what other countries do. We can be the best customers for ourselves," he said.