Trudeau wants to engage on trade, investment and human rights with China
SAGUENAY, Que. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says breathing new life into Canada’s relationship with China will allow his government bolster economic trade while pushing the east Asian country to do better on delicate issues like its record on human rights.
“What we need with China is to reset the relationship a little bit,” Trudeau said Friday in Saguenay, Que., after wrapping up a Liberal caucus retreat in this picturesque region 210 kilometres north of Quebec City.
Trudeau is heading to China for an official visit next week, and is vowing to handle things differently than the previous Conservative government, which he characterized as having a “hot and cold” approach that got in the way of meaningful engagement.
He said he will broach how China can allow Canadian products and services greater access to its growing middle-class market, as well as thornier issues such as how the Chinese government can improve on human rights, governance and democracy.