How important are China and Canada to each other?published at 01:04 GMT
Image source, Getty ImagesChina is the top buyer of Canadian crude oil delivered through the Trans Mountain Pipeline
China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, recording more than C$118bn ($85bn; £63bn) in two-way merchandise trade in 2024.
That’s a long way behind the US, which traded more than $761bn worth of goods with Canada in 2024.
But economic ties with China are increasingly important for Carney, who said ahead of his visit that Canada was focused on building a “more competitive, sustainable and independent economy” in the face of “global trade disruption”.
Meanwhile, China‘s appetite for Canada’s crude oil has been expanding.
Last year China became the top buyer of Canadian crude oil delivered through the Trans Mountain Pipeline, a vast transportation system across Canada. Now, with Venezuelan crude rocked by the US seizure of President Maduro, Chinese refiners are reportedly inquiring about Canada’s supplies.
Chinese youth also make up a large segment of Canada’s international student population. In 2024, there were more than 125,000 Chinese nationals who held study permits in Canada.
