Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Xi Jinping Meets Canadian PM Carney and Japan Premier Takaichi at APEC
Imagine two big countries, China and Canada, haven't been getting along very well for a while.
Their leaders met at an important meeting called APEC.
The leader of China invited the leader of Canada to visit China to talk and try to fix things.
They both have been affected by another country's, the US, new taxes on their products.
Separately, the leader of China also met with the new leader of Japan.
Japan is worried about China's military actions and is increasing its own defense spending.
Even though Japan has concerns, its businesses still need important materials from China.
Both meetings happened at a time when global trade rules are changing, and countries are trying to figure out new ways to work together or compete.
Chinese President Xi Jinping invited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to China for formal talks, aiming to improve bilateral relations.
Relations between China and Canada have been strained since 2018, exacerbated by retaliatory tariffs on key exports like canola.
Both Canada and China have been significantly impacted by US President Donald Trump's global tariff policies.
Xi Jinping also held initial discussions with Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has expressed concerns over China's military activities.
Japan's industry remains interested in securing supplies of rare earths from China, despite geopolitical tensions.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Japanese Premier Sanae Takaichi, US President Donald Trump
- What
- Meetings at the APEC summit where China's President Xi Jinping extended an invitation to Canada's Prime Minister for talks in China and held initial discussions with Japan's new Premier, amid ongoing trade tensions and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
- When
- Friday, following US-China talks on Thursday and the APEC summit in South Korea.
- Where
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea.
- Why
- To foster dialogue and potentially improve bilateral relations between China and Canada, and to establish communication between China and Japan amid regional security concerns and trade disputes.
China and Japan's Interactions
Japan's Concerns and Economic Needs
Bilateral Relations and Security
China and Japan's Interactions
China's President Xi Jinping expressed readiness to work with Japan's new Premier Sanae Takaichi for constructive and stable ties, emphasizing a 'new era' for bilateral relations.
Japan's Concerns and Economic Needs
Japan's Premier Takaichi views China's military activities as a 'grave concern,' is increasing defense spending, and supports security cooperation with Taiwan, while also raising concerns about detained Japanese citizens in China.
Trade and Resources
China and Japan's Interactions
Japan's industry is eager to maintain the flow of rare earths from China, which have become a point of contention in trade disputes.
Japan's Concerns and Economic Needs
Despite the desire for stable trade, Japan's stance on China's behavior, including rare earth export controls, creates underlying tension and highlights a strategic vulnerability for Japanese industry.
- Xi Jinping's Invitation to Carney
- President Xi Jinping invited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to China for formal talks, marking the first such invitation since 2017.
- Canada-China Relations
- Ties have been strained since 2018 following the arrest of a Chinese executive in Canada and China's detention of two Canadians. Both nations have also been impacted by US tariffs.
- Tariffs Between Canada and China
- Canada imposed a 25% tariff on steel imports from China, and China responded with a 75.8% duty on Canadian canola imports.
- US Tariffs
- US President Trump halved fentanyl-related tariffs on China to 10% but kept average tariffs on Chinese imports at 47%. He also increased tariffs on Canadian goods by 10% and terminated trade talks.
- Japan-China Relations
- Xi met with Japan's new Premier Sanae Takaichi, with China ready to work for constructive ties. Japan views China's military activities with concern and is increasing defense spending.
- Premier Takaichi's Stance
- Takaichi is considered a China hawk, has expressed concerns over China's military activities, supports Taiwan, and backs security cooperation with the island.
- Economic Interests
- Japan's industry is keen to ensure continued supplies of rare earths from China, amidst trade disputes.
Sources
Strategic absence: Narendra Modi’s evasion of Donald Trump - Telegraph India
Best of Both Sides: Pakistan has not returned to geopolitical importance, merely to geopolitical visibility
Best of Both Sides: Pakistan’s revival should worry India
Trump’s Russian oil paradox, says didn’t discuss oil with Xi
Trump’s exit is Xi’s cue to take centre stage at APEC
Analysis-Trump’s exit is Xi’s cue to take centre stage at APEC
