Carney to visit China and Switzerland to boost trade ties and attract investment

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to China and Switzerland later this month as part of the federal government’s push to diversify Canada’s trade relationships and attract new foreign investment.

Carney is scheduled to visit the People’s Republic of China from Jan. 13 to 17, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other senior government and business leaders. The talks are expected to focus on trade, energy, agriculture and international security.

The trip will mark the first visit to China by a Canadian prime minister since 2017 and follows an initial meeting between Carney and Xi in October.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the visit is part of a broader effort by the new government to reduce Canada’s reliance on the United States, expand non-U.S. exports and strengthen economic resilience at home.

Following the China visit, Carney will travel to Davos, Switzerland, from Jan. 19 to 21 to attend the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. While there, he is expected to meet with government leaders, business executives and global investors to promote Canada as a destination for investment.

The government said Carney will emphasize Canada’s competitive advantages in natural resources, agriculture, energy and advanced technologies, while seeking to deepen existing partnerships and create new opportunities for Canadian workers and industries.

Officials described the upcoming trips as part of a strategy to build new international connections, diversify trade and support a stronger, more independent Canadian economy.