Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney commenced a significant state visit to Beijing from January 13 to 17, 2026, marking the first such visit by a Canadian leader in nearly a decade. This diplomatic mission is widely seen as a pivotal recalibration of Canada's foreign policy and trade strategy, driven primarily by increasing tensions and protectionist trade measures from the United States under President Donald Trump. The central objective of Carney's visit is to reduce Canada's economic dependence on the United States and to forge new, diversified trade partnerships, with a strong focus on China. Canadian officials have emphasized that this initiative is not a choice of 'China over the United States,' but rather a pursuit of 'independence over dependency, balance over bloc politics and rules over raw power.' The discussions during the visit are slated to encompass critical areas such as trade, energy, agriculture, and international security, aiming to mend relations that have been strained since 2018 following diplomatic spats, including the arrest of a Huawei executive and the subsequent detention of two Canadians. This strategic pivot comes as China reported a new historical high in its total import and export value for 2025, reaching 45.47 trillion yuan, representing a 3.8% year-on-year increase. This economic resilience, despite global trade frictions, positions China as an increasingly attractive partner for countries looking to diversify their economic engagements. The visit underscores a broader trend among middle powers seeking strategic autonomy amidst intensifying great-power dynamics. While the CGTN article reflects a Chinese perspective, the core facts of Carney's visit and its motivations are corroborated by numerous credible international news organizations, confirming the accuracy of the headline's central claim regarding a shift in Canada's strategy.