Carney preparing to ‘reset’ relationship with China during summit in South Korea

Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing to meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping Friday, while at a summit in South Korea.

It’s the first time the two leaders have met in around eight years, after a tumultuous relationship and steep tariffs.

But now, as Canada searches for new trading partners, Carney says he’s looking to reset the relationship.

The prime minister was seen shaking hands Thursday morning with South Korea’s new president.

The pair agreed to deepen ties on security, defence, and cyber-threats.

“We’re meeting at a time when our defence cooperation is deepening, and, very importantly, that our cultural ties continue to grow,” said Carney.

The meeting comes on the sideline of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum held in South Korea.

The forum brings another important meeting for Carney, one with Jinping.

READ MORE: Carney, Trump attend dinner hosted by South Korean president

The leaders of the two countries haven’t met since 2017, when former prime minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Beijing.

“Now with a new prime minister and, in the given context of the struggle with the U.S., it’s a good moment to take advantage of the ‘newness’ of the prime minister to try to restart relations, and get them on a better footing,” said Jane Boulden, a professor at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Boulden says she sees a clear path forward to strengthen our trade relationship with the second largest economy in the world, but she cautions against relying on China strategically.

“So on the economic side, those goals are more clear, but on the political, strategic side those goals need to be managed more carefully,” said Boulden.

This comes on the heels of U.S. President Trump’s meeting with Jinping Thursday.

“I guess on the scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12,” said Trump.

The leaders came to a deal that will lower U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, as well as see China resume rare earth exports, and crack down on the flow of fentanyl.

For his part, Trump also said he had a “nice” conversation with Canada — the first time he’s spoken to Carney publicly since calling off trade negotiations.

“We had a really nice conversation with him last night, we really did,” said Trump.

WATCH MORE: What could Carney’s first meeting with Xi mean for Canada–China relations?