At the end of October, Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit in South Korea. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that the meeting represented a significant shift in the relationship between Canada and China. Both leaders committed to addressing unresolved trade issues and collaborating on various topics, including clean and conventional energy, agriculture, manufacturing, climate change, and international finance.

After the meeting, Carney told reporters, "We will be open and frank with each other on issues. There are issues of challenge and where we can find common ground, we will find common ground." Carney has a long-standing relationship with China, but some critics argue that Canada should approach this relationship with caution.

Despite his experience, Carney has faced challenges in dealing with the United States, particularly with President Donald Trump. Critics suggest that Carney has not established the necessary conditions for successful negotiations with the U.S. They argue that the Liberal party lacks an understanding of realpolitik, which prioritizes national interests over ideological principles. This situation, they claim, has consequences for Canadians.

During his time as governor of the Bank of England, Carney oversaw the establishment of a $1 billion investment fund to support China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This initiative aims to develop global infrastructure and create a network of client states aligned with China’s goals. Some observers believe this background may have influenced Carney's recent dealings with China, including a US$276 million loan from the Bank of China for Brookfield Asset Management in 2024.

Concerns have been raised regarding China’s human rights record and its activities in Canada. Issues include the operation of clandestine police stations to monitor the Chinese diaspora, intimidation of Canadian politicians, and foreign interference in Canada’s democratic institutions. The 2025 Hogue report identified China as the most active perpetrator of such interference.

The detention of Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig has also drawn attention. They were arrested in retaliation for the 2018 detention of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on a U.S. extradition request. In a recent video interview, Kovrig, now a senior advisor for Asia with the International Crisis Group, recounted his experience of being abducted and held for 1,019 days. He described the ordeal, including nearly six months in solitary confinement and relentless interrogation.

Kovrig emphasized the importance of caution in Canada’s relationship with China. He stated, "It was a gruelling ordeal, not just for me, but for my family. Frankly, it’s something I’ve spent the last few years, as has my family, recovering from. Now we’re all doing pretty well, but … it hasn’t been an easy journey." His comments highlight the complexities and risks involved in engaging with China, urging a careful approach as Canada navigates its foreign relations.