Canada and China are forging a ​new strategic partnership that stands ‌to yield “historic” gains by leveraging ​on the strengths of each, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday (January 16, 2026).

The first Canadian Prime Minister to visit China since 2017, Mr. Carney was on ​a mission to rebuild ties ⁠with Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the United States, following months of diplomatic efforts to ​resolve earlier tension.

“It is ⁠important to start this new strategic partnership at a time of division,” Mr. Carney told Mr. Xi, calling for ‌focus on areas that can bring “historic ‌gains” for both, such as agriculture, agri-food, energy, and finance.

“That ‍is where I believe we can make immediate and sustained progress,” he ‍added.

Canada is looking to strengthen ties with the world’s second-biggest economy after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on some of its goods and suggested the longtime U.S. ally could become the country’s 51st state.

China, ⁠similarly hit by Mr. Trump’s tariffs since he returned to the ​White House last year, is also ⁠keen to cooperate with a Group of Seven nation in a traditional sphere of U.S. influence.

Canada and India are close to finalizing an export agreement in a deal valued at about $2.8 billion, the Globe and Mail reported on Monday (November 24, 2025), citing people familiar with the matter.

The deal for Canada to ship uranium to India would run for 10 years if finalized, the report said, adding that uranium would be supplied by Canada’s Cameco Corp. The deal could be part of a broader nuclear cooperation effort between the two countries, the report said.

The Centre, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Canadian government and Canada’s Trade Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a discussion on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday.

The Centre said on Sunday that the two countries agreed to restart stalled talks for a new trade deal, after discussions had paused following a diplomatic spat two years ago.

“The leaders agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at doubling bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030,” the statement from India’s Prime Minister’s Office said.