Carney shoring up international business amid Freeland’s departure from caucus

Prime Minister Mark Carney still has a few more stops on his itinerary as he continues to shore up international business.

The prime minister’s office says he’s set to meet China’s President, Xi Jinping in Beijing next week.

The first official trip to China by a Canadian prime minister in more than eight years.

Carney’s foreign agenda comes as he pivots internally after longtime liberal Chrystia Freeland departed from caucus.

Tuesday, the prime minister said he did not ask Freeland to stay on as MP while still managing a minority government.

While Carney has been successful at attracting Tory MP’s to cross over, one Conservative denied the invitation.