TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is urging the Canadian government to reconsider its trade relationship with China to avoid the risks of economic dependency.

In an interview on Saturday, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) said Canada’s new administration under Prime Minister Mark Carney may face a steep learning curve with China. Chen was in Canada for the Halifax International Security Forum, reported The Globe and Mail.

Chen was discussing Carney’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea in late October. Carney called the meeting a “turning point” for Canada–China relations, and Xi has reportedly invited the prime minister to Beijing for further trade talks in early 2026.

Canada must maintain “a high awareness of the level of risk involved” when dealing with China as a major trade partner, Chen said, arguing that Beijing is known for using economic leverage to punish and pressure other countries. He added that Beijing is actively trying to “drive a wedge” between democracies such as the US and Canada.

Chen warned that over-reliance on the Chinese market could carry a serious cost if Canada’s leaders ever displease Beijing. He pointed to ongoing diplomatic tensions between Japan and China and Beijing’s recent ban on Japanese seafood imports.

Carney is reportedly eager to settle a trade dispute with China that began under his predecessor Justin Trudeau, working in coordination with the Biden administration. Canada has imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as well as steel and aluminum, while China retaliated with 100% tariffs on key Canadian agricultural products, per The Globe and Mail.

Following the Xi–Carney meeting, China will allow travel agencies to resume booking group tours to Canada. Meanwhile, the Carney government has reportedly stalled the signing of a trade agreement with Taiwan negotiated earlier in 2025, reportedly out of concern over potential retaliation from Beijing.