Carney Meets Xi, Invited to Visit China

Prime Minister Mark Carney held the first formal talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping since 2017 on the sidelines of APEC in Gyeongju, calling the meeting a “turning point” in bilateral ties and saying he raised sensitive issues including foreign interference. Xi invited Carney to visit China and instructed ministers to work on practical, cooperative solutions, though officials and analysts described the session as an important first step rather than a breakthrough on trade. Carney said he apologized to U.S. President Donald Trump over an Ontario TV ad and noted the meeting took place under the shadow of recent U.S. tariff threats that have complicated relations with both Washington and Beijing. On a concurrent Asian tour, Carney met Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties and reaffirmed support for free trade and multilateralism. He also held private meetings with sovereign wealth funds and investors to pitch Canada as a destination for investment in AI, clean technology, critical minerals and nation‑building projects.