Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is undertaking a four-day official visit to China from January 14 to 17, 2026, marking the first such trip by a Canadian prime minister in eight years. This high-level engagement aims to reset and improve the often-strained relations between the two countries, which have been tense since 2018, notably following the detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and the subsequent arrest of two Canadians. Canada is seeking to diversify its trade partnerships and reduce its economic reliance on the United States, particularly amid ongoing trade tensions with the Trump administration. China, for its part, is also keen to strengthen trade with third countries amidst its own trade disputes. The dialogue during Carney's visit is set to encompass crucial areas such as trade, agriculture, energy, and international security. As a gesture of goodwill, China has already resumed group tour services for its citizens traveling to Canada. While both nations express a readiness to resolve specific economic and trade issues, including tariffs on Canadian canola and Chinese electric vehicles, human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch are urging Prime Minister Carney to prioritize human rights concerns during his discussions. The global economic landscape, characterized by shifting tariffs, geopolitical conflicts, and market volatility, provides a backdrop of 'global trade turmoil' influencing these renewed bilateral discussions. Despite past challenges, bilateral merchandise trade between China and Canada reached $61.74 billion from January to August 2025, reflecting a 7.1% year-on-year increase, with China remaining Canada's second-largest trading partner. This visit is seen as a significant step towards consolidating the momentum of improvement in China-Canada relations.