Canada’s foreign policy toward China is taking a new turn. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Ottawa now sees Beijing as a “strategic partner” rather than a disruptive force, marking a striking shift from the language Canada used just three years ago.
In an interview following her trip to China, India, and Singapore, Anand told The Canadian Press that Canada is moving toward a more balanced approach — one that combines protecting security interests with advancing economic cooperation. “It’s necessary for us to lay the foundation if we are going to find areas where we can further co-operate,” she said. “There are always going to be challenges in any relationship. The key is to have the dialogue necessary to address Canadian concerns.”
Her comments come days before Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to Asia, with stops in Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea, as Ottawa looks to rebuild its economic presence in the region. Anand’s remarks also signal a departure from the 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy, which described China as “an increasingly disruptive global power” with values and interests that diverge from Canada’s.
Anand said the new diplomatic stance is about pragmatism — balancing Canada’s economic reliance on China with national security and human rights priorities. “We must be nuanced in our diplomacy,” she said. “We must stress our concerns relating to security and public safety on the one hand, and we must seek to build additional supply chains on the other.”
During her visit to Beijing, Anand and Chinese officials agreed to revisit the 2005 strategic partnership signed by both countries, with plans to “renew and refocus” the framework to reflect current global realities. “What we are aiming to do is to recalibrate the relationship, so that it is constructive and pragmatic,” she said.
The decision to reopen dialogue comes at a tense moment. Canada and China have been at odds over Ottawa’s decision to match U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, prompting Beijing to retaliate with new duties on Canadian canola and seafood. Anand acknowledged the trade disputes but emphasized the need for continued engagement. “We are going to be seeking to ensure that foreign policy serves the domestic economy,” she said. “Let’s not make any mistake that China is a major global economic player.”
Canada’s trade with China totalled nearly $119 billion last year, making it the country’s second-largest trading partner after the United States. Carney has said his goal is to make Canada’s economy the strongest in the G7 by expanding trade partnerships and diversifying supply chains.
Still, some observers question the timing and framing of the renewed partnership. Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said the term “strategic partner” may complicate Canada’s position with Washington, where skepticism of Beijing remains high. “China doesn’t like to compartmentalize,” she said. “Normally, it prefers to link issues together. It’s not clear whether a ‘strategic partnership’ is the right framing.”
Anand, who met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for more than two hours during her trip, said the talks covered cybersecurity, energy, air travel, and environmental cooperation. She also reiterated Canada’s longstanding adherence to the One China policy while maintaining support for democratic engagement with Taiwan. “Canada is a world leader in advancing human rights and the rules-based international order,” she said. “That’s never going to change.”
Anand’s push for renewed dialogue suggests Ottawa is recalibrating its approach in a world reshaped by economic uncertainty and shifting alliances. “Diplomacy is best done minister to minister,” she said. “We will always put the needs of Canadians first — and continue our engagement with both China and Taiwan.”