BEIJING (AP) – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his country has high hopes for a trade agreement with China, but won’t be rushing into negotiations that could affect their economies for generations to come.
On the second day of a visit to Beijing, Trudeau told reporters Tuesday that Canada was “constantly engaged” on trade issues with China as part of exploratory talks on a trade pact launched two years ago.
There were hopes formal talks on an agreement would be announced during Trudeau’s visit, but it appeared that wasn’t going to happen.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speak during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)
Instead, Trudeau touted an agreement with China on the importance of battling climate change and upholding the 2015 Paris agreement.
Trudeau held talks with Premier Li Keqiang on Monday and was due to meet with President Xi Jinping later Tuesday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, center left, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, center right, speak during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, center left, takes part in a welcoming ceremony with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang prepare to shake hands at the end of a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, salutes Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the end of a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. (Fred Dufour/Pool Photo via AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang hold a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in an event at Sina Weibo headquarters in Beijing, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, to promote Canada-China tourism. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to media in Beijing on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. Canada hopes a trade agreement with China will reflect “Canadian values” in the areas of labor rights, environmental protection and gender equality, Trudeau said Monday at the start of a four-day visit to China. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in an event at Sina Weibo headquarters in Beijing, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, to promote Canada-China tourism. He is joined by young Chinese professionals that visited Canada in order to share their experiences. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
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